Who are we, where have we been, and where are we going?

 To say that the last several months have been like none other in our  lifetime would be an extreme understatement.   We’ve watched a virus bring the world to a screeching halt, an economic shutdown rivaling the Great Depression, and now civil unrest reaching a fever pitch.  I keep coming back to the questions that serve as the title of this essay - who are we, where have we been, and where are we going?  I think that those are appropriate questions when addressing  a situation such as this.

We seem to be adapting to the first two issues.  The COVID-19 coronavirus has really been something like none other.  In some ways it’s similar to worldwide epidemics that we’ve previously experienced, but in other ways it truly is unique.  In analyzing the data, the number of deaths (probably not the best way to “rank” pandemics), COVID-19 isn’t as bad as other worldwide health crises - recognizing that it’s still an awful situation.  We’ve been through far worse from a shear statistical perspective.  However, the rapid spread and indiscriminate infection parameters seem to be unique.  We would expect the immunocompromised to suffer at a significantly higher rate.  Yet, even the somewhat “healthy” have been affected in high numbers, and with serious symptoms.  The number of people subjected to long-term hospital stays with significant life-saving measures has been astounding.  To diminish the impact would be foolish.

The immediate response to this epidemic has been the near complete shutdown of world economies that have surpassed our wildest dreams.  We began ranking businesses as essential vs. non-essential.  For the purpose of this discussion we won’t address which ones fell into which category.  Nonetheless, except for essential human needs (Maslow), non-essential businesses were shuttered for at least two months.  The economic impact of these shutdowns will take years, if not decades, to determine the true impact.  The unemployment rates skyrocketed to almost 20% of the workforce.  In a two-month span we went from near full-employment to Great Depression-like numbers in 6-8 weeks.  Unreal doesn’t even begin to express the sentiment.  Yet, the American people remained resilient that we would emerge from this crises, and build back from these loses.  

Then, in the midst of all of this, enter Derek Chauvin and George Floyd.  With the exception of their families, friends, and co-workers, these were simply two names in the great fabric of Americana.  Yet, on May 25, 2020, everyone knew who these two men were.   One a Minneapolis Police Officer, the other a victim of police apprehension gone horribly wrong.  Mr. Floyd apparently committed some crime that led to his arrest, and then his horrific death.  While in police custody, Officer Chauvin knelt on the neck of Mr. Floyd for almost nine minutes, ultimately leading to his death by asphyxiation - a death that never should have happened.  Yet, here we are.  Who are we, where have we been, where are we going?

Who are we?/Where have we been?

It’s almost inconceivable that we as a developed society are in this situation once again.  Over the past decade or so, in the realm of law enforcement, we’ve watched a life end at the hands of a man or woman entrusted with public safety.  In some instances the use of force was completely legitimate.  In some instances it was not.  Yet, in the court of public opinion, the “mob” jumps to a conclusion before the facts of the case come to light.  In some instances the blood hasn’t even dried before the American people have acted as both judge and jury and rendered judgement.  Recently that judgement has taken the form of violent riots and egregious destruction of private property.  There must be a better way.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson penned these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Since those words were written some 244 years ago, we haven’t done the best of jobs of living into the reality that all men are created equal.   There were hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children, brought here on slave ships, who were not viewed as men created equal.  They were different, and we somehow excused that away.  It was wrong, it was sinful, and no one that I know would doubt that for one second.  Until the Emancipation Proclamation and then the end of the Civil War, slaves were seen as “less than”.   Nonetheless, we still had work to do.

Even though we would have declared ourselves to be a Nation built upon Judeo-Christian principals, we could not with integrity maintain that claim, while at the same time view African slaves as inferior, less-than, sub-human.  It’s one of those unfortunate realities of our history.  Who we were in actuality didn’t match who we said we were.  We were not truly faithful to our guiding principals.   It sure would be nice to pretend that this didn’t happen or that we could excuse it all away, but we are not given that option.  We must acknowledge with all its subsequent faults and shortcomings, who we are and where we’ve come from.  A truly virtuous people will admit those issues, learn from them, and strive to be a better people as a result.  I’m afraid that on both sides of the issue we continue to fail miserably.

Where are we going?

This really is the ultimate question.  Based upon who we are & where we’ve come from, where do we go from here?  I’m afraid that we have two factions that have two totally different destinations, and at the end of the day, are totally incompatible with one another.

On the left or more progressive side of the situation we find those who seem to desire anarchy, total decentralization of control, and a complete restructuring of American society.  We’re watching this play itself out in the Seattle, WA, situation regarding the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).  A somewhat loosely organized group has now seized control of a 6 square block section of Seattle.  The demands and expectations of this group continues to change depending upon the circumstances.  This level of chaos is ultimately unsustainable.  Organization based upon shifting aims is untenable.  Yet, there are still those who adhere to these beliefs, and think that this is a workable solution.

On the right or more conservative side, we have those who desire the status quo.  Those who desire the preservation of law and order.  Those who see what’s happening in cities around the nation as shear lawlessness.  Most would like for the government to come sweeping in, squash this insurgence, and establish proper governance.  In other words, hurry up and get things back to how they’re supposed to be.

There really is a sizable third group that takes a portion from both groups.  If I would offer some conjecture, I’d guess that most in this group take more from the second group than the first, but that’s just a guess.  Most of these folks want to take a little bit of a nuanced stance and at least listen to both groups.  After all, the first group didn’t reach their positions in a vacuum, and neither did the second.  The beliefs of both groups requires at least an open ear.  As Christians we owe both sides at least that common courtesy.  

The Impasse

Unfortunately, We seem to be at a point where everyone is talking past one another.  After the death of Mr. Brooks in Minneapolis, both sides appeared to be equally appalled by what happened.  A person who had committed a crime didn’t need to die at the hands of Law Enforcement.   All rational people were of one mind.  However, that wasn’t good enough.  All of the stars were perfectly aligned for another race battle.  Were there racist motivations behind what happened between Mr. Floyd and Officer Chauvin - we may never know?   The pressing question still remains, where do we go from here?

One place we cannot go is into the exchange of one form of racist actions for another.  What do I mean?  First and foremost, we cannot perpetuate the fiction that the “system” is rigged, slanted, or tilted, so that one race or demographic group cannot rise to their fullest potential.  That is categorically a false assumption and must be dismissed whenever it rears its ugly head.  Economic and political systems such as Socialism and Communism are geared in that direction.  Anyone who has ever escaped the grips of those regimes will completely verify that assertion, not what we have in this country.  Yet, at every turn that’s all that we seem to hear - systemic racism, white privilege, white fragility.  For those who have ears to hear, that type of language seeks only to exchange one form of racism for another.  Where are echoes of Dr. King’s words to search for the content of one’s character and not the color of their skin?  Why are white members of society not given the benefit of the doubt, instead of being labeled as racist for the shear fact that they are white?  Can we not see the hypocrisy of such allegations?

Do I think that we have solved the racial problems of our times - absolutely not?  Do I think that there are continued reforms and improvements to our society to make it more just and equitable for all - without a doubt?  Do I think that exchanging one form of racism for another is going to solve the matter - by all means NO! 

How does the Christian respond?  In the same manner we’ve always been called to respond - to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and all our soul, and all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.  That’s the place where we have failed, and unfortunately, continue to fail.  Too many cannot or will not  see the handiwork of God  in their neighbor.  C. S. Lewis said, “next to the Blessed Sacrament, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.”  How many of us have taken the time to meditate upon those words, and see our neighbor in that manner?  More than likely too few people and far too infrequently.  Yet, that is how the Christian is to see the world.  That is the way that we can begin to understand the phrase, “behold, the Kingdom of God has come upon you.”  

We recognize that there is much left to be done and more work to be accomplished.  May God grant us the courage to meet these challenges, the grace to perform them in a Christlike manner, and the humility to share in that endeavor.  If we make that a daily petition, our Lord will grant what we ask, and we will begin to look like the people He has called us to be.