Yesterday a brother named Troy Davis was executed for supposedly killing a police officer over 20 years ago. Though seven out of nine witnesses recanted their statements he was still executed. Over the past week I have seen people express anger, hurt, peace. I have listened to people speak about the family of Troy Davis, but also the family of the police officer killed. In the midst of all of the unjust and hurtful realities where do we find hope? Hope means “to desire with expectation of obtainment.” Yesterday there were vigils, protests, and petitions even went out to stop the execution. All of this energy shifted towards bringing about change in the midst of injustice. What I wrestle with is what happens tomorrow? Today this is all over CNN, facebook, and intertwined in our conversations. But, how often do we forget about the Troy Davis’ of the world and move on to speaking about the next issue. What are you going to do in this movement for hope, justice and equality today, tomorrow, next week, next month, this year, next year, five years from now? I am hopeful how we as a people can mobilize and speak out against injustice. I am also hopeful that we can step up and challenge ourselves by investing our energy and time in joining a cause, signing a petition, volunteering in our community, educating our children and by becoming involved in ways that can bring about a sustainable change to our country, to our world. Like Gandhi expressed, we must be the change.
Best,
Argrow “Kit” Evans
What a call to action, Kit! How and where do you think people should mobilize? What is the role of future religious/ethical leaders in this?
Thanks Kit, hope is definitely key here. To Josh’s point, there is a chance to mobilize not only around the death penalty but the mass incarceration of the poor and people of color more broadly as argued by Michelle Alexander in a recent interview with Michael Eric Dyson.
Thanks for the question and comments! Phillipe you are definitely right about organizing around the issue of the death penalty, mass incarceration and the poor. Michelle Alexander’s book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in The Age of Colorblindness, speaks a lot to these issues. It would be powerful to lead a study on this book within our communities and churches. Over the last few days I have heard many groups taking action. One group of seminary students is having a silent march where the tape on their mouths symbolize the silence and shame of the justice system. I have heard of several memorials happening across the country and many are coming together to have forums speaking about Troy Davis and issues relating to his execution. Personally, I think that beyond our immediate actions there is a call for us to really take the challenge in moving forward in our calls. King noted, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We are all called to advocate for a specific cause, against certain injustices. I really do think if we take the challenge to step up and do whatever it is that we are called to do in our uniqueness, change can become a reality. It is also important to highlight the power of solidarity!