Observation, Perspiration or Inspiration:
We’ve gone through over two months of “staying at home” in Hawaii and now things are opening up! I’ve reflected a lot on our “preexisting conditions” before this pandemic. People with underlying health conditions, especially among the elderly have been more vulnerable to the virus and many have died.
This pandemic has also revealed other preexisting conditions, like the increased vulnerability of the poor with limited health care, testing and inability to social distance in their housing, transportation, and essential jobs, which expose them more to the virus and death.
We also see the preexisting conditions of racism and unjust systems. Recently, the Navajo nation has the highest per capita infections and deaths in the US. I had the privilege of visiting the Navajo reservation years ago and could not believe their living conditions. One third of the Navajo nation still do not have running water.
In many major cities, more brown and black people disproportionately suffer from the virus and have died and more Hawaiian and Blacks live in poverty and are in prison.
Men with machine guns are allowed to openly protest at the capital while Ahmaud Arbery, an African American man was shot and killed while jogging near his home. This week I was sad to hear about the death of George Floyd, another unarmed Black man who experienced unnecessary police brutality. It grieved me to see three other policemen, including an Asian officer, not caring that this man was being choked under the knee of their colleague. How might you feel if this man that died was your brother, uncle or father? On the same day, I heard that white woman called the police and told them a Black man is threatening her life when he simply asked her to put her dog on a leash as the park requires because he was birdwatching. There are countless stories of unjust deaths in the Black community.
I was thankful to watch the 5 hour Asian American history series but felt sad to see the many types of racism against Asians. Currently, Asian Americans have been targeted with racist incidents as they are blamed for the virus. I’ve also grieved about racist attacks in China against Africans who live there.
What will we do with our preexisting conditions? Many are working hard to stay heathy, but what about the more difficult things that are being exposed? It’s tempting to deny or ignore what we see more clearly about the unjust systems and racism. I was a Recreation and Leisure studies major in college and recognize my privilege and preference to stay comfortable, far from the pain of injustices that happen every day. But I’m thankful that God is giving me his heart for the poor and oppressed. I don’t have answers but our God of justice cares deeply about this and invites us to care and share his heart for all who are hurting, especially those who suffer from poverty and racism. God also calls us to forgiveness and reconciliation which is the heart of the gospel.
God is inviting us to seek truth and deeper lament as we learn of these injustices. We grieve because our brothers and sisters in God’s creation are in pain! Why are some Hawaiians willing to risk everything to save Mauna Kea and Hūnānāniho (also called Sherwoods)? God invites us to take time to listen and learn from people that are different than ourselves even when it is uncomfortable, and to weep with those who weep. God invites us to share his heart of compassion because we have the honor of belonging to the God of all compassion. As God speaks to us about a broken and unjust world, he calls us to respond.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord that you are a God who cares deeply about justice, the poor and oppressed. It’s so uncomfortable for us to enter the world of those who feel the pain and effect of injustice. Come and change our hearts to weep with those who weep. Give us a bigger heart to repent from racism and encourage our world to so the same.An Idea:
Some of the marginalized groups in Hawaii and the US that are suffering include Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, African Americans and Latinos. Take some time to be open and learn more about the injustices they are experiencing. Pray and let God bring you into deeper lament. Ask him how he is calling you to respond and obey what he reveals to you. As we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will know God in a more intimate and powerful way!
I’d like end with these verses
Psalm 22:24 “For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”
Micah 6:8 ‘What does the Lord require of you, to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
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