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The Tree





I am a person in the realm of politics, but this is not a political post.  There is much in this post I am not saying.  There are volumes to be written and said (and much is being said) on the current happenings, but I just want to add one thought.


I feel like I have looked at a tree for most of my life. I saw the tree of racism and it had fallen.  I celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. and other heroes of justice.  I love justice.  I have loved the aspects of history that told of the victories of overcoming the sins of racism in our nation. I knew it still existed in random pockets of people or towns, but for the most part, I just celebrated the huge tree that had fallen. 

But now I feel like the last couple of weeks and even the last few days, I have made a discovery: the roots are still there. And I realized I had no idea how huge the root system is. I've taken time to read history about slavery in Tallahassee. I've read accounts of Florida government and culture in the days of segregation and integration. I think that part of history has hit me the most.  MY town. It was piercing to read about things that happened on this land that I call home.  And then the stories.  The experiences.  Every person that opened up to tell about their own life over the last decade, but especially in the last few weeks. 

Every time I would read history of my city and state, I felt like I would discover a root with a shovel. Every time I would hear a story or see a post, I would hit more roots.   More roots of injustice. More roots of pain.  More roots of sin. 

And as I was digging, I saw that, yes, the tree has been toppled.  It was an obvious and huge tree.  OF COURSE no human should own another human. Humans are humans and have value, regardless of ethnicity.  Thank you God that we have this realization.

But y'all.  There's a root system.  There are lies.  There are wrong ways of thinking that stem out from racism.  This is the south.  I see it. I know it.  And don't for a minute think that the people and culture in the North are exempt from this sin.

All I am asking is that you go on a journey. A journey to learn and listen and see. A journey of digging.  A journey to love others and see what their life has looked like, and does look like currently.  Ask God to show you if there's a root system that needs to be exposed.  Both in your life and in your community.  And then keep digging.  Let's dig them up and pull them out.  It's going to take work and strength and perseverance, but the more help we have, the faster it will happen. 


Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you, Michelle, for your work which allowed you to write these thoughts. The analogy is on target and certainly helps me visualize the roots of racism. I appreciate your thoughts and words.

Dixey Teel
June 4, 2020 at 1:18 PM
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