This has really been weighing on me — There were discussions and disagreements this week about the role of forgiveness in violent, horrific acts of racism ( as in SC) and as a response to systematic racism in general.
That “forgiveness” has been used as a way to stomp out activism is beyond dispute – throughout history.
But we have to be careful not to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater… to fight this fight at our most high, sustained and energetic, we cannot be filled up with rage and hatred. Though understandable emotions, and even useful to get one into motion and action, we need more substance than that to keep the fire of “this evil MUST end” going – for as long as it needs to go.
We need to be light and not bogged down with hate. That’s a job for forgiveness – which is love at its best…
We need LOVE to underpin the marches and the responses and the boycotts and the activism. THAT will be unstoppable and unbeatable. THAT historians will not be able to distort.
Love for justice and equality, freedom and people – ALL people, serving as the motivation and, outrage at and intolerance for a lack of those birthrights in our daily lives as the justification and impetus for sustained revolt will decisively end systematic racism in America. Not rage and hatred. No matter how therapeutically”good” it might feel.
Love is ALWAYS the most powerful and effective balm for any issue or dis-ease.
Wishing you an abundance of peace, joy and love,
∞♥∞