In 2020, the pandemic attacked the world with a virus we never before have encountered. In many ways, we have found out who we are amid this deadly disease.
Even as this new year begins, we all still are struggling to find the best way to stay safe and to promote the safety of others.
One of the lessons the virus has taught us is the notion of how interrelated our lives are. A concept we often find in many of the sacred scriptures that teach if one of us is suffering, we all are suffering.
As we begin 2021, we have witnessed acts of social violence, hate, and insurrection with the violent attacks on our Capitol and our duly elected representatives.
These are challenging times, but we can find comfort and inspiration.
As we look to celebrate the inauguration of a new President of the United States and the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, I offer you this reflection.
A Reflection
Dr. King spent his life fighting against racism and violence in all its forms. The legacy of Dr. King is the thoughtful challenge calling everyone to raise their voices, to stand in protest, and to act for the common good of everyone.
Dr. King knew that if an individual or any group of people was suffering the pains of injustice, we all were hurting. Dr. King wrote:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” April 16, 1963.
Every life lost to violence impacts us.
In 2020, we saw how the tragic killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Jacob Blake, and so many others called many to act.
These horrific acts of violence ignited the spirit of Dr. King across the nation and world to stand together in solidarity.
One notable and noble remedy for building unity and equality is found throughout the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Black Lives Matter is a movement for equality and against racism. It stands with and builds from all Dr. King gave to us. A vison of hope, equality, and a challenge to promote human dignity, and respect for all people.
If one group of people’s lives are treated with the virus of injustice, cruelty, and repression, then none of our lives can matter.
As we approach Dr. King’s birth anniversary, it is a moment to reignite in us all the desire for justice.
Our individual and collective commitments to stop those who wish to impose oppression, hate, and disrupt the natural order of our human fulfillment of living united as one people.
A Time to Act
Last year, SOS Illinois created the Racial Justice Committee, which is led by Ms. Delphine Rankin and Ms. Kelsey Balk, and shares tremendous support from many other dedicated staff. Their work continues to uplift and support this very notion, that as we both care for children in foster care, we too can make meaningful contributions to act on behalf of those whose lives have been treated with cruetly and repression.
In service of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our Committee has created Family Togetherness Bags, an act that asks each of us to look within so as to not remain silent on the issues of racism, injustice, and inequality that engulfs us.
This Monday, we honor Dr. King who dedicated his whole being to promote, defend, and act for justice. Furthermore, this Wednesday, a new President will be inaugurated.
There appears to be great threats for a peaceful and orderly transition to our democratic process.
In our streets, many people walk in fear of the police who are sworn to protect them.
Our nation’s Capitol and many of our state capitols are boarded up in fear of attacks.
These are our times that call us to act.
Dr. King spoke these words, also in a time of great social and political unrest. He said:
“The ultimate measure of a {person} man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where {one} he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Strength to Love,1963.
Let us take on all the challenges of these times. Let us act.
The viruses of division can be remedied by our collective engagement to act on behalf of the good that is within us.
Let us walk together and sow the power of our collective love to heal and strengthen everyone.
For this is who we are.
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