Yesterday, as I passed a governmental office in the community, a small group of people stood outside holding signs, protesting for peace. The red light at the intersection caused me to stop and I heard them singing, "Let There Be Peace On Earth." A good song choice.
Throughout our country there are people struggling to find a way to respond to happenings in Ferguson, Staten Island and now Phoenix. Sadly, I suspect this will not be the end of such events.
I know, as a society we are trying to figure it out. Who is to blame? What has happened to our society? Have the police gotten carried away with their power? And there are solid reasons on all sides of this discussion.
We once referred to police officers as peace officers. Now they are law enforcement. Our Pentagon, rightly or wrongly, has chosen to donate surplus weaponry to local, county and state enforcement agencies.
Significant changes have come to our country by virtue of protesting: Women's Rights, Civil Rights, LGBT Rights, the end of Viet Nam, among others. One could even make the argument that our nation was founded due to a protest regarding a Tea Tax in a Boston Harbor. They are a part of who we are as a people. I have fond memories of several that I participated in throughout the years.
Society is searching. There are reasons for it. Economic disparity, marginalized people, lack of ownership and recognition, whatever. People are searching for ways to change the status quo. We always have.
My fear is that our divided nation, our divided culture, divided politics are creating a stronger have/have not society, and that we can expect escalation in the days ahead.
Somehow we have to change the conversation. We have to remember that protests are not threats to security. They are cries of frustration and calls for change. We have to find ways to honor that. Men and women in riot gear hardly seem like a way to listen to one another. And rocks thrown at police rarely serve to let dialogue be heard.
In the season of peace we have to find a way.
This carol/song came into my mind as I wrote tonight.
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