Jena 6

Posted on September 17, 2007
Filed Under Uncategorized, Responsibility, Fear, Trusting God, Self Care, Freedom, Courage, Community |

It’s possible many of you have heard of the Jena 6 boys in Louisiana; the story has been in the news daily here lately. Having been a history minor in college, this story is reminiscent of the many experiences black men encountered in the south during Jim Crow. Six black boys being accused of attempted murder after beating a white boy who may have participated in a hate crime against them. The boy suffered minor injuries from the beating. The young white counter parts in this story apparently went unpunished for hanging nooses on a tree as a prank. The school officials said the noose was simply a joke and not meant to harm anyone.I first heard of this story over a month ago before it became national news. It saddens me that these types of racially motivated events are still happening today. And, honestly, apart of me feels somewhat removed each time I hear stories like this one. I attribute this to living in Los Angeles, which is far from the Deep South. Also being a black woman is very different than being a black man in this world. I don’t know many black women who’ve been pulled over by the police thrown to the ground or beaten. It’s a normal occurrence in Los Angeles. In many ways these stories are common place and simply apart of being black in America. I believe I’ve come to expect these events . . . it’s sad right? Becoming a mother of a son has quickened something in me, connected me to mothers everywhere whose sons are vulnerable due to race, economics or sexual orientation.

All of this begs a question in my heart, when will we (black and white) truly awaken to who we are, who God created us to be, our Divine nature? There seems to be a belief that we are lacking, we are not enough, not created in the image and likeness of God. We have become so accustom to choosing fear, hatred and scarcity that we leave no room be what Christ charged us to be: love and loving. Not so long ago I believed black people were victims of white racism and hatred. And today I believe our self-loathing some how assists in creating the treatment we continue to receive. In many ways it reminds me of an abused woman who simply will not leave her abuser. A part of her, whether she admits it or not, believes she deserves the abuse. Some where in her unconscious this treatment matches what she truly thinks of herself. The abuse is simply a living out of the picture she has in her mind. And not until she changes her mind and accepts her worth in Christ will the experience change.

I am very tempted to rant and shout to the mountain tops about injustice in the Jena 6 story. I can go on and on about the injustices throughout American history. But I’m choosing to trust everything is Divinely ordered and Divinely designed to push us in the direction of love. If we are made in the image and likeness of God, and God is love, I’d say we are also love. We have simply forgotten; fallen asleep!

One person at a time we must realize love does not subjugate another, love does not fear, love does not believe itself unworthy, love does not seek opposites or lack. As we begin to realize and reveal the excellence within us the compulsion to control others will dissipate. We can only do our individual part to realize and accept the charge to love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as your self, and love your enemy. That is if loving eyes can see an enemy.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Today let us live the love of God, be the love of God, and give the love of God. It is the greatest calling of all.

Peace and Blessings,

Monique Ruffin-James