Men and women fought and died in the United States so that I could one day be recognized as a full human being. Of course, there are still many people who believe that only Caucasians deserve to be called human, but that is a discussion for another time. Though there are still struggles for acceptance in some quarters, people who look like me are no longer where we were not that long ago. I am very conscious of the fact that many of those who died in the struggle for human and civil rights did not even look like me. They, and others who looked like me, died for me without even knowing me. Too many of those who survived the struggle paid such heavy physical and emotional price that it cannot be measured in real terms. I sometimes wonder how many of them would have engaged in the struggle had they known exactly what the toll would be to their persons and their families. As soon as I begin to wonder, I am reminded of the fact that they never gave up even when the costs to them mounted. So, I am convinced that they did what they did simply because they had love in their hearts. As a result of their love for others, they were willing to stare evil in the face and die for what was right. Many died without speaking any memorable words but the love that their works represented is the reason why I could be what I am today. In my moments of reflection, my gratitude to those martyrs knows no bounds.
So many decades after freedom was obtained by and for minority groups in the United States, South Africa and many other countries, people are still being arrested, wrongfully imprisoned and even killed because of who they are, what they look like and/or who they love. Around the world, many are even being killed because of who and how they worship. Even today, many in our world, including in western democracies like the United States, France and the United Kingdom, are still necessarily engaged in rallying and fighting for social justice, propelled by their love for humanity and community. Many others preach that all are made in the likeness of God; yet they see no reason to join in any effort to cut the chains of bondage because they believe that some among us do not deserve to be free. But we cannot truly love God without loving our neighbors, a term that truly means everybody, including those that we do not even know.
But how is it that we can feel so comfortable in our own situations knowing that there is so much suffering in our world that requires us to act? How is it that we still argue whether it is right or wrong to place children in cages as a matter of policy when the plain fact is that it is wrong? Wy do we still consider it appropriate to blame victims of obvious injustice when our energies and resources should be pointed at those who render us all less loving and more closed-minded even as we live in a world in which we can now more easily obtain facts to educate ourselves on any matter than at anytime in human history? Why do we then pretend that we do not know that all around us abound massive expressions of oppression while we go about our daily businesses undeterred?
Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if we were brought before a judge or tribunal on charges that we were caught helping the poor, advocating for members of the LGBTQ community, supporting interracial marriages, accepting undocumented immigrants in our midst and embracing members of racial and religious groups different from ours. Would there be enough evidence to convict us? This is a question that nobody can truly answer for another because the answer lies in the heart.
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Thank you for this authentic words of wisdom That’s much needed in our society. We all can show light in the face of darkness that’s destroying our world today. Yes, when the so called proclaimed Christian feel that, that’s alright to mistreat other human beings that Jesus Christ. Preaching was against, then, we have to rethink again and find the meanings of being Christ followers. Love for others was the main purpose of Christ crucifixion. He gave his life for others. One day, light will shine over darkness. Thanks again for the insights.
This is a clear picture of man’s inhumanity to man. I sometimes feel that I was witnessing the tormented series of suppression and regression. The bastardized principle of love which is shared by many religion is our downfall. God is not asleep, one day this entire story shall unveil itself. The potter shall re-examine the pot. The vessel will either be deemed a master piece or a vessel only fit for destruction. Let no man think he is mocking God, whatsoever the oppressors sow they shall reap. It is apparent that man’s quest for independence and power has become the segue to his demise.
“ they have been left to the devices of their minds” The longer they remain, the more ruthless they become, the greater the consequences of their deeds. For the rest of us, simply love unconditionally, find inner peace, do good, watch and pray. None of us are immune. This is just the beginning for many. For the oppressor, they are not going anywhere anytime soon. The only hope is that no condition is permanent. As such, one day our land will be healed. Under what conditions? That’s what we must ask ourselves.
Thanks for such intriguing post Dr Oni-Eseleh.
Very well put. Over and over in our world, we have witnessed the toppling of oppressors from positions that they and others believed would be theirs forever while the victims of their oppression languished in hopeless lack. One of humanity’s tragic weaknesses is the inability to learn from history. Those of us who understand and are willing to embrace what is right must always keep our eyes open for the move of history because we know that with that move often comes change either for the better or worse but our hands can help to shape history’s trajectory for humanity’s benefit.
Unfortunately, we are in a world where even the most bigoted still rule. People of color never have true respite. Even those who manage to be accepted and propelled to the seat of government by the electorate that know and love them are not respected. They are told to go back where they come from. From where you want to ask. Maybe the ghettos of New York, Detroit or Minneapolis!
Thanks for expressing what I know, believe and fear – that their is no hiding place for people of color. None is spared the indignities that bigots believe we deserve. The expectation that people of color should just feed from crumbs, shut up and grateful in their own homeland is, to say the least, disheartening.
More questions than answers…. in retrospect, those who fought the good fight to make life worth living did mankind that rare favour. I think they will still fight for the equality and rights of everyone today
Indeed. That is one thing that I think sets them apart from most of us. They understood life and were willing to take on causes bigger than themselves in the hope that, by so doing, they might transform society for the benefit of generations.