By Naima Thompson
With the world crying, #ICantBreathe in honor of George Floyd’s murder by former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin, his passing spawns global uproars as various ethnicities unite in their cries against social injustice.
In efforts to help raise awareness and seek real answers, The Force Radio’s “The 3600 Show” produced a heart wrenching show discussing racism, social unrest, and how Christians should respond in the face of injustice.
In addition to “The 3600 Show” broadcasters, guest panelists included:
- California native Christian rap artist SPEC, who tackles injustices in his album Vacancy: 2 Back of the Bus.
- Muti-ethnic church planter, Pastor Matt McGue , director of Church Planting for Cumberland Community Church
- Avid historian, HBCU graduate, and inner-city school educator, Elder Delvin Price from End Time Commission Church
- Pastor, professor, and author of various works including, The Colors of Culture – The Beauty of Diverse Friendships, MelidnaJoy Mingo, who has provided numerous trainings on racial justice and reconciliation.
Panelists viewed Floyds murder and countless other news clips of those fallen victim to hate crimes. In grief, they watched our nation’s response to protesting, rioting, and looting. One broadcaster, P. Chris, calls this response, “a culmination of a collective gathering of build-up of hurt. When you see our community have to respond in that way, it is simply a cry saying, enough is enough.”
After apologizing for his ancestor’s sins to the black community and declaring how it’s the duty of man, according to scripture, to grieve with those who grieve, Pastor McGue says, “Anytime our eyes have to witness this kind of trauma, it should rock us.” He goes on to say that we should mourn with those who mourn, and stand up against injustice.
Sister Sunday co-host, Erica Johnson, started tearing up on show in response to Pastor McGue’s heartfelt words. She expressed that she never heard a white man apologize for his ancestors’ sins of racial injustice.
Discussing how history shows us, especially through the Civil Rights Movement that true, long lasting change came by way of non-violence, Elder Price reveals the deep history of racism in our nation. Dr. Mingo discussed other practical ways to stand against injustice, like ensuring that your state has a hate crime bill instituted in its legislation.
In discussing our fight for justice, SPEC pointed out that even though Jesus overturned tables in the Temple, he didn’t attack the brother at the table. As a conclusion to the show, SPEC’s music video, “Back of the Bus/Good Samaritan,” was aired, concluded the importance of the church crying out to God in prayer for racial reconciliation and forgiveness amidst this global uproar.
Your voice matters! Watch the show and join the conversation!
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