During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:23-25
The unrest that has unfolded throughout many cities in America is shedding the spotlight on racism, injustice, and inequality across American society once again. A coalition of Black, Brown, Asian, and poor White people have taken to the streets to voice their discontentment with the ongoing murder of African Americans by white police officers. Whereas some of the protesters have less noble intent as many stores and businesses have been vandalized, the overall cause for which people are protesting is just.
People from black and brown communities have had enough of the abuse and injustice that haunts their existence in this country. They are tired of the harassment they have to endure every time they go to a store or drive their cars. Enough is enough with the dehumanization of people of African descent, and the objectification of black women. Black men are tired of being labeled as predators, though they are often the prey.
Since the first slave ship landed in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, people of African descent have been experiencing a nightmare of racist oppression. Whereas slavery officially ended in America in 1863, the Pharaohs of this country have been trying to hold African Americans in bondage so we can continue to make bricks without straw to build their empire. Much like the Israelites in the Old Testament, people of African descent have been groaning in their oppression and have continuously lifted their cries to God. For 401 years, they have been asking, “How long” before they can earnestly sing the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
The freedom that people of African descent needs is not going to come from legislation. Indeed, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not bring an end to racism and injustice against African Americans. The Israelites remained in bondage while Moses was the prince of Egypt. African Americans and people from oppressed communities cannot put their trust in any politician or political system. Our liberation is not going to come from billionaire philanthropists. The deliverance we so desperately need can only come from Almighty God.
Only God can neutralize the Pharaohs of this age. African Americans are tired of the empty rhetoric and false promises from politicians. The Almighty is saying enough is enough with police brutality. He is tired of the economic disenfranchisement of people of color. God has had enough of African Americans being the last to be hired and the first to be fired. He is angry that African Americans, on average, make about 30 percent less than their white counterparts for the same position, even if the African American employee has more experience.
African Americans are not asking or begging for justice no more. They are demanding that their lives be valued just like everyone else. They have had enough funeral processions in their communities because of gun violence, police brutality, or lack of health care, all of which are directly related to their marginalization as people of color.
It is time for our white brothers and sisters to understand our pain and join us in expressing our outrage peacefully as we let the power structure of this country know that enough is enough. The images of protest we are now seeing from cities throughout America is but an invitation for God-fearing, freedom-loving, and Bible-believing Black, Brown, and White Americans to cross over to sing joyfully and uninhibitedly ‘My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!’ ”
Prayer- Blessed Lord, how long before you hear the groans and see the misery of your Black and Brown children and come down to rescue them from their oppression?
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