From My Perspective - - -
The Pledge of Allegiance expresses these majestic and magnificent words: “…with Liberty and Justice for all.” That declaration was not the reality for many people in this nation over the years. In part, it gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement. The adage is well-stated: “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.” It is often heard in terms of criminal cases where Trial By Jury happens weeks, months or years down the road. We celebrate the Fourth of July as our Independence Day – but – how “independent” are we? An Internet News Source publishes: “Go ahead - celebrate Independence Day, but keep in mind that dependency on government (entitlement programs) is growing at an incredible rate…16.3% increase just last year.”
During the Civil Rights Movement, a book was written by one who involuntarily (at first) became a prominent participant in the cry for justice. A paragraph about his book states: “His brother died in his arms, shot by a Deputy Marshall. He was beaten and tortured by the Sheriff and State Police. But through it all he returned good for evil, love for hate, progress for prejudice and brought hope to black and white alike. The story of John Perkins is no ordinary story. Rather, it is a gripping portrayal of what happens when faith thrusts a person into the midst of a struggle against racism, oppression and injustice. It is about the costs of discipleship - the jailings, the floggings, the despair, the sacrifice. And it is about the transforming work of faith that allowed John to respond to such overwhelming indignities with miraculous compassion, vision and hope.” The book referenced is: “Let Justice Roll Down” by John Perkins. The overview given is: “This civil rights classic tells the story of Dr. John Perkins road from (Mendenhall) Mississippi poverty and racism to leading the charge for racial reconciliation and ministry with the poor.”
Another author who addressed the civil rights struggle was Langston Hughes. He is characterized by his starkness in his writings represented in – The Panther and The Lash – where Hughes writes about the many injustices in the world. The Publishers summarize his work with these words: “From the publication of his first book in 1926, Langston Hughes was America's acknowledged poet of color, the first to commemorate the experience-and suffering-of African-Americans in a voice that no reader, black or white, could fail to hear. In this, his last collection of verse, Hughes's voice is more pointed than ever before, as he explicitly addresses the racial politics of the sixties in such pieces as "Dream Deferred," "Birmingham Sunday." and "Daybreak in Alabama." Sometimes ironic, sometimes bitter, always powerful, the poems in The Panther and the Lash are the last testament of an American writer who grappled fearlessly and artfully with the most compelling issues of his time.” He is pointed, and at times profane, but always bold.
Yahoo tried to define Justice. The one who wrote the response gave three alternative and possible meanings: ”Justice can be broken into three major categories: social, personal, and supernatural. (1) Social Justice includes a government's legal system, (2) Personal Justice involves the a person's own ethics, and (3) Supernatural Justice refers to God’s Standard for Life.” The problem with having them as separate entities is that they are interwoven and each is a part of the whole. When the Prophet Amos was addressing the injustices of his day, the thrust of his message is summarized in Amos 5:21-27 (NLT), "I hate all your show and pretense - the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry…” We need to see a new “…mighty flood of justice, a river of righteousness…” in our day. There are so many who strive for justice only to have it continually elude them. They need and deserve fairness – the joy and opportunity to succeed. They keep reaching for Justice – but – so often it is denied them. I hope they don’t give up! I hope they won’t become disillusioned or discouraged! I hope they’ll hang in there a little longer! Look to the Lord for true Liberty and Justice! Consider these things with me!
The Pledge of Allegiance expresses these majestic and magnificent words: “…with Liberty and Justice for all.” That declaration was not the reality for many people in this nation over the years. In part, it gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement. The adage is well-stated: “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.” It is often heard in terms of criminal cases where Trial By Jury happens weeks, months or years down the road. We celebrate the Fourth of July as our Independence Day – but – how “independent” are we? An Internet News Source publishes: “Go ahead - celebrate Independence Day, but keep in mind that dependency on government (entitlement programs) is growing at an incredible rate…16.3% increase just last year.”
During the Civil Rights Movement, a book was written by one who involuntarily (at first) became a prominent participant in the cry for justice. A paragraph about his book states: “His brother died in his arms, shot by a Deputy Marshall. He was beaten and tortured by the Sheriff and State Police. But through it all he returned good for evil, love for hate, progress for prejudice and brought hope to black and white alike. The story of John Perkins is no ordinary story. Rather, it is a gripping portrayal of what happens when faith thrusts a person into the midst of a struggle against racism, oppression and injustice. It is about the costs of discipleship - the jailings, the floggings, the despair, the sacrifice. And it is about the transforming work of faith that allowed John to respond to such overwhelming indignities with miraculous compassion, vision and hope.” The book referenced is: “Let Justice Roll Down” by John Perkins. The overview given is: “This civil rights classic tells the story of Dr. John Perkins road from (Mendenhall) Mississippi poverty and racism to leading the charge for racial reconciliation and ministry with the poor.”
Another author who addressed the civil rights struggle was Langston Hughes. He is characterized by his starkness in his writings represented in – The Panther and The Lash – where Hughes writes about the many injustices in the world. The Publishers summarize his work with these words: “From the publication of his first book in 1926, Langston Hughes was America's acknowledged poet of color, the first to commemorate the experience-and suffering-of African-Americans in a voice that no reader, black or white, could fail to hear. In this, his last collection of verse, Hughes's voice is more pointed than ever before, as he explicitly addresses the racial politics of the sixties in such pieces as "Dream Deferred," "Birmingham Sunday." and "Daybreak in Alabama." Sometimes ironic, sometimes bitter, always powerful, the poems in The Panther and the Lash are the last testament of an American writer who grappled fearlessly and artfully with the most compelling issues of his time.” He is pointed, and at times profane, but always bold.
Yahoo tried to define Justice. The one who wrote the response gave three alternative and possible meanings: ”Justice can be broken into three major categories: social, personal, and supernatural. (1) Social Justice includes a government's legal system, (2) Personal Justice involves the a person's own ethics, and (3) Supernatural Justice refers to God’s Standard for Life.” The problem with having them as separate entities is that they are interwoven and each is a part of the whole. When the Prophet Amos was addressing the injustices of his day, the thrust of his message is summarized in Amos 5:21-27 (NLT), "I hate all your show and pretense - the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry…” We need to see a new “…mighty flood of justice, a river of righteousness…” in our day. There are so many who strive for justice only to have it continually elude them. They need and deserve fairness – the joy and opportunity to succeed. They keep reaching for Justice – but – so often it is denied them. I hope they don’t give up! I hope they won’t become disillusioned or discouraged! I hope they’ll hang in there a little longer! Look to the Lord for true Liberty and Justice! Consider these things with me!
No comments:
Post a Comment