Patriotism over Humanity

[Dana Renee]

PATRIOTISM
O V E R
HUMANITY

The American flag looms large in the sanctuary
a cross, small by comparison, to the left.
Nearly everyone stands
eyes forward
right hands over chests.

A woman hesitates
as she thinks of all she’s seen and experienced
of the times her and her loved ones have been
discriminated against
murdered
because of their color
because of their names
because of their clothes
She thinks of how these things have so often
been talked over
played down.
She now knows better than to confide
in anyone here.

A man hesitates
he looks around at white men
with the impression
that they will never see him.
He thinks about how many white men
he’s worked for
who professed to be Christians
yet spoke to him with disgust and disrespect
as if they were and would always be
better than him
who professed to be Christians
yet lied about what they would pay
who professed to be Christians
yet promised promotions or raises
knowing they’d never follow through
who professed to be Christians
yet refused to pay him
after he’d worked his a-- off
who professed to be Christians
yet used the threat of ICE
to keep their employees quiet
who professed to be Christians
yet used their citizenship
to manipulate and belittle
men they saw as nothing more than
“illegal”.

Several more
hesitate
as they think of all the times they’ve tried
to make their community see
what’s really going on
of those who professed to be Christians
yet acted as if the ones among them speaking out
were deceived, black sheep
of those who professed to be Christians
yet ignored and dismissed
entirely too much.

Many in this room wonder
what Christianity really means.
Is it a path they should continue to follow?

The American flag looms large in the sanctuary
a cross, small by comparison, goes unnoticed.
Nearly everyone stands
eyes forward
right hands over chests
some oblivious
many purposefully unaware
unconcerned and unashamed
chanting
“…with liberty and justice for all.”

[Philip16]

Powerful message Dana. Well written.

[anthonycoll]

When I first came to Christ I was looking to be loved by others. Then Jesus taught me a great lesson; that as one of His disciples, my job was to love and uplift others! I absolutely love His chastening and correcting hand! He tells us the truth and the leaves it up to us to live it; the choice is 'always' ours. I have also learned that bitterness hurts most, the possessor of it! (Mat 5:44-46). I have not seen your work here before; welcome to the Enlightenment forum; really good to have you here! anthony

[Dana Renee]

Thank you both for your insight.

@Anthonycoll - I'm interested in better understanding your take on this write. You wrote about bitterness, and there is a bitterness about this piece for sure. When people are hurt by other's actions or inactions, there's always a measure of bitterness to work through. :/ What I would love to see is for more Christian leaders and churches to acknowledge these social justice issues and to also acknowledge the additional pain and hurt some of them have caused by overlooking it. That would be a great step towards healing and bridging the gap.

When I first came to Christ I was looking to be loved by others. Then Jesus taught me a great lesson; that as one of His disciples, my job was to love and uplift others! I absolutely love His chastening and correcting hand! He tells us the truth and the leaves it up to us to live it; the choice is 'always' ours. I have also learned that bitterness hurts most, the possessor of it! (Mat 44-46). I have not seen your work here before; welcome to the Enlightenment forum; really good to have you here! anthony

[Christopher11]

I think people become torn by their wanting. Man created the world that plainly rewards us with material things. Wearing Christianity on a cheap t-shirt, does not make a person a true Christian! In fact, that doesn’t even get them into the wading pool. Even if Lady Liberty could yank out her feet and walk, there is no new land left. It’s up to us now.

Very much enjoyed the passion!
David

[riversidepoet]

of those who professed to be Christians ,this seems to be main problem, they will know us by the way we love one another

[Dana Renee]

Thank you David and Riversidepoet!