The Need for Change
The death of George Floyd has drawn a variety of reactions. But there is a common thread to these reactions. Something has got change..The sticking point is in the details. WHAT needs to be changed? WHEN? People operate from different starting points.
This is not the first time we have faced this challenge. Recall the violence of the Boston Tea Party and the Civil War!
This post offers the perspectives of a future Saint. St. John Paul II, some 30 years ago, was well acquainted with ethnic conflict and repression.
Advice from a Saint!
In his message for the World Day of Peace (1989) St. John Paul II wrote
“We are all aware that, as the Second Vatican Council affirms, “peace is not merely the absence of war, nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies” (Gaudium et Spes, 78). Rather, peace is a dynamic process which must take account the many conditions and factors that can either favor it or disturb it.
The following excerpts struck me as particularly relevant.
- There are two general principles which can never be abrogated and which constitute the basis of all social organization.
- The first of these principles is the inalienable dignity of every human person, irrespective of racial, ethnic, cultural or national origin, or religious belief.
- Such a right remains intact even in cases in which the group, or one of its members, acts against the common good. In such situations, the alleged abuse must be addressed by the competent authorities, without the whole group being condemned, since that would be against justice. At the same time, the members of minority groups have the duty to treat others with the same respect and sense of dignity.
- The second principle concerns the fundamental unity of the human race, the language of Sacred Scripture, “made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth ” (Acts 17:26) .
- The obligation to accept and defend diversity belongs not only to the State and to the groups themselves. Every individual, as a member of the one human family, ought to understand and respect the value of human diversity and direct it to the common good.
- A mind that is open and desirous of knowing better the cultural heritage of the minority groups with which it comes into contact will help to eliminate attitudes of prejudice which hinder healthy social relations. This is a process which has to be continuously fostered, since such attitudes tend to reappear time and again under new forms.
- I wish to restate that, in such delicate circumstances, dialogue and negotiation are the obligatory path to peace. The willingness of parties involved to meet and talk to one another is the indispensable condition for reaching an equitable solution to the complex problems that can seriously obstruct peace. And a refusal to enter into dialogue can open the door to violence.
- In some situations of conflict, terrorist groups unduly arrogate to themselves the exclusive right to speak in the name of a minority, depriving it of the possibility of freely and openly choosing, its own representatives and of seeking a solution without intimidation.
- In addition, the members of such minority communities too often suffer from the acts of violence wrongfully committed in their name.
- May those who follow the inhuman path of terrorism hear my voice: to strike blindly, kill innocent people or carry out bloody reprisals does not help a just evaluation of the claims advanced by the minorities for whom they claim to act! (cf. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 24).
- Building this society requires a wholehearted commitment to eliminate not only evident discrimination but also all barriers that divide groups.
- Reconciliation according to justice and with respect for the legitimate aspirations of all sectors of the community must be the rule.
- Indeed, in a sense, respect for minorities is to be considered the touchstone of social harmony and the index of the civic maturity attained by a country and its institutions.
- In a truly democratic society, to guarantee the participation of minorities in political life is a sign of a highly developed civilization, and it brings honor upon those nations in which all citizens are guaranteed a share in national life in a climate of true freedom.
An examination of self… not the other
- Was there anything in what he said that I was uncomfortable with?
- If there was, can I put into words why?
- If I agree with these thoughts the “Vincentian Question” is as always…what must I do?
As Vincentians our task seems to be personal conversion based in word and sacrament enhanced by personal immersion in the life of the poor that leads us to be agents of helping others hear the Spirit given call to unity in order to form the community which the Gospel inaugurates.
What we saw with the death of George Floyd is, once again, revolting. I live in a building in one of the districts of New York with 89 families all from different races and from many different nations. What I am doing is stopping every time I meet a black person and telling them how disgusted I am and how unjust everything we are witnessing regarding the treatment of the Afro-american people is and that I pray every day so that all protesters keep the focus on what needs to be done: change the laws that govern police behavior towards our black brothers and sisters.
A couple of days ago, one of my black neighbors told me that, if she had not been wearing the mask, she would have hugged me. Our black brothers and sisters can’t take it any more. Our Afro-american Super, an incredibly great worker, told me that this hate against them will never change until God comes back to earth. I told him that God already came and we should know better. No excuses. At least, what I can do is letting my Afro-american neighbors know that there are white people who understand their pain and support those in our government who think that we are all brothers and sisters and are trying to do something to change things for the better. We can do it.
Gabriella, Thanks for sharing this. It brought back of memory of a time when I was a recipient of such kindness just over 50 years ago. I was in Germany visiting relatives. When the news of Robert Kennedy’s assassination became known, It was not only my relatives who expressed their condolences. On the train I had a few who saw me reading an American newspaper do exactly what you are doing.
Among the things that this timely reflection brings to mind is this famous quote from Benito Juárez (1806-1872), President of México, from 1858 to 1872:
“Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz,” that translates, “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.”
What must I do?
I’m reminded of a similar question addressed to the warden of a prison we visited in the summer of 1965 in Trenton, NJ, to which he responded, “I wish I knew, or I’d be the Governor of NJ.”
It’s not easy, obviously, to come by with an answer. All I do right now, in the security and safety of home, is to contemplate and worship the King of Martyrs on this memorial of St. Charles and Companion Martyrs.
I pray that this King, who is our peace, for he broke down the dividing wall of enmity through his flesh, enables me and others to step forward and be enveloped in the great cloud of witnesses, among whom, besides the Ugandan martyrs, are Óscar A. Romero and Franz Jägerstätter, Martin Luther King, Jr.
I pray, too, for boldness for our shepherds, so that they may do what Archbishop Gregory and Bishop Curry and several others have done, that is, walk ahead of the sheep and witness to truth and proclaim the kingdom of God and his righteousness as freely as though they have nothing to lose.
Listen to the comments of Pope Francis on the death of Geroge Floyd. (2 minutes)
There is no question that change is needed. The question is, “Who will bring forth this change?” I came across this article by Christine Rouselle
(“El Paso bishop kneels to pray at George Floyd protest”). She says, “Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, along with a group of priests of his diocese, knelt for nine minutes of silent prayer. The bishop held a sign reading “Black Lives Matter.” Wow! Karen Young in “How to talk to Children about Racism, Prejudice, and Protests”) says, “Changing the world starts with the person beside you.” Thank you, Bishop Mark! And thank you, John, for raising it!