Seeking Justice for Trayvon Martin: Why Christian Moms Should be Involved
The sweet-faced boy popped up on my computer screen, well at least his picture, the only vision I have of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old shot in cold blood by a self-appointed neighborhood watchman in Florida last month. My son was there, sitting by my side, wanting to know who this boy was and why he was on the computer. How do you explain to a 9-year-old that a boy that looks like him, plays like him, is carefree like him, was just walking down the street with some candy and iced tea, got killed just for being him? How do you explain to your boy that a likely fate for him could be the same as that for Trayvon while we live in this crazy mixed up world? How do you tell your black son that to some being a black boy is a threat that many want to get rid of?
I told him straight, no chaser because nothing can chase the lack of respect for other humans, for black boys in particular, out of this situation and he needed to know that. Joshua needed to know that some people think being a black boy is a crime and law enforcement agents seem to do what they can to put away those who commit that crime. While sharing these harsh realities of living while black, I reminded him that he was beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made black boy, and that God committed no crimes with His creation. The great crime in George Zimmerman killing Trayvon Martin is the lack of respect for authority that has been revealed. While we teach our children about injustices and how to seek justice, I believe they need to understand God’s purpose for authority and how the Bible teaches us to engage those in authority, including when they are wrong. When we violate God’s law of authority, as George Zimmerman did, situations go horribly wrong, even criminal, like with Trayvon Martin.
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Reader Comments (2)
Amazing article that cuts to the chase of the problem. I am raising 6 black sons and tell them straight, like you, but inherent racism is only part of the problem. Lack of authority is a major factor here. Everyone has an individual set of life circumstances, but you are not owed the right to.have your say. There will always be someone over you who will hopefully have a clearer picture. If not, at least having one "boss" will eliminate chaos...and dead babies...
Thanks for commenting, Holly, and I'm glad you appreciated the article. I love your comment about one "boss." Seeking to be submitted to Christ would indeed help us a great deal, curbing, overall, our issues with authority.