ON STRIVING FOR JUSTICE: A RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDING BISHOP

Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash.

I am writing in response to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Op-Ed published on May 31st, 2020 in The Washington Post. I am a lifelong Episcopalian, a member of the House of Deputies, and currently participating in the protests in Columbus, OH.

I want to begin by echoing what Bishop Curry has said about the “sad constant” of police brutality against our Black siblings. I have grown up in the era of documented racial violence, in which Black people have been gunned down by the white supremacy inherent in the United States and endemic in the police force.

I understand how in a world filled with this much hate it can be a struggle to find love, but I challenge Bishop Curry directly in his assertion that love is not currently present.

He speaks to concrete actions we can (and will) take but neglects to acknowledge the love that is already around us in the people standing together to name this racial hatred as immoral.

I felt surrounded by that love when white bodies stood between police and Black bodies to protect Black siblings who risk their lives by attending the protests.

I felt surrounded by that love as protesters helped each other flush their eyes of the pepper spray and tear gas.

I felt surrounded by that love when neighbors stood side by side in peaceful protest resolute in the face of escalating police violence.

I felt surrounded by that love when medics continued offering necessary care after being specifically targeted by Columbus police.

While the Presiding Bishop is a Black man, he leads a church that is, fundamentally, white. The Episcopal Church, as a predominantly white organization, has historically benefited from and continues to benefit from white supremacy. Our coffers are filled with the profits of slavery and our beautiful churches continue to stand because we have never had to fear terrorism on the basis of race.

I call on Bishop Curry and other leaders of The Episcopal Church to directly confront this legacy and proactively end this injustice. It is not enough simply to acknowledge the role the church has played in perpetuating inequality, we must act to ensure this inequality no longer exists. The Church has a moral and theological obligation to be the Good Samaritan whom we remember not because he saw the injured man and said “I’m sorry he’s been hurt” but rather because he acted. The Samaritan cared for the man, paid for the man’s lodgings so he could recover, and showed the man mercy.

The Episcopal Church has rightly denounced police violence, but it is time for the Church to put their property, prestige, and people where their mouth is. Direct bishops to open churches as first aid stations and sanctuaries. Donate money to local bail funds. Call on clergy and congregants to stand with protesters, to be the manifestation of Christ’s love in the world. 

The recent resolutions passed by Executive Council begin this work but fall short of the transformative justice and all-encompassing grace Christ calls us to demonstrate. Funding efforts for affected dioceses are commendable but it is clear that systemic racism is not solely an issue in Minnesota and Kentucky.  Advocating for police reform without acknowledging that the reforms in question have failed to improve outcomes for minority communities is solely wishful thinking (Minneapolis, for example, had already implemented the reform recommendations from the Obama era Task Force on 21st Century Policing). One of the resolutions in question acknowledges that these steps are only the beginning of the very necessary work to dismantle systemic racism. But what comes next?

The Episcopal Baptismal Covenant calls us not only to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself” but also to “strive for justice and peace among all people.”

I strive for justice when I stand in the face of police brutality. How will the Church strive for justice in a systemically unjust country?