Do All Lives Matter?
Jul 16, 2016
I attended Melanin Narratives here in
Edmonton a few months ago and it was amazing. I have never seen so many
beautiful, talented black people in one room in Edmonton! Seriously, it was a
breath of fresh air! I felt myself being rejuvenated surrounded by talented and
gorgeous people who look like me!
While reveling in the glory of God’s
handiwork in that room, I was reminded that “there is nothing covered that will
not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2). We are living
in an age where the wool that has been pulled over our eyes is being burned,
and our consciousness is being awakened. Through social media we are revealing
the racism that is affecting black bodies and killing black people. We are
illuminating how the perception of black bodies as dangerous permeates in the
very hearts, minds, and actions of those who have voluntarily committed to
serve and protect all citizens. The recent events of the back-to-back
shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castille in
Minnesota by cops attests to this assertion.
In God’s eyes, all of our lives
matter. We have value. Yet we don’t live in a world that believes this. #BlackLivesMatter is showing us that our world doesn't believe that all lives matter. We
don’t live in a world that values the life of another human being. How can we
claim that all lives matter when we have rampant police brutality and violence
against civilians that we are unwilling to do anything about; where even with
video evidence and witnesses, justice remains illusive for the victims and
their families? When we are unwilling
to hold accountable those who are supposed to serve and protect when they
become the villains on the street and in our communities?
I recently read an article that
stated: “What’s going on when we see racism, brutality, injustice, violence,abuse and hatred in our world and call it everything but what it is—sin?” We sin against God and we reap the rewards of
that sin. We have become gods unto ourselves, answerable to no one, regardless
of who suffers. And we all suffer for it. And much like the shootings in
Louisiana and Minnesota reveal, we need to take responsibility: that is, take
responsibility for saying one life is worth more than another; for accepting
the degenerate belief of the inferiority/superiority of skin colours, and to hold accountable those who err in their duties to serve and protect.
God gave us a choice: to choose life or choose death. We have chosen death
and all its fruit. We are suffering because of the choices and the beliefs that
we have accepted as a society.
Yet, Freedom is our birthright in
Christ. We can break off the chains we have put ourselves in. What happened in
Louisiana, and Minnesota and the shooting of cops in Dallas doesn’t have to be
our reality.
For the Sake of His Love let us "turn away from evil and do good; [let us] seek peace and pursue it." (1 Peter3:11).
--Chenai
Hey Black Girl
May 22, 2016
Hey Black Girl,
Yes, you black girl
You are so beautiful to me.
Yes, you black girl
You are so beautiful to me.
Yes, beautiful
Look at your skin!
Look at your skin!
It glows, it illuminates, it absorbs
It breathes.
It's mesmerizing, yes so enchanting
The greatest thing conceived.
It breathes.
It's mesmerizing, yes so enchanting
The greatest thing conceived.
You are morning, noon and night.
You are the firmament holding stars in you
within you, on you, so much light!
So much light, they comprehend it not.
You are the firmament holding stars in you
within you, on you, so much light!
So much light, they comprehend it not.
That skin! So rich and enriched
You captivate, you enchant.
Melanin so bold, melanin so bright;
You cause a frenzy, a chaotic rapture of emotion!
Dont get lost in your own tailwind!
You captivate, you enchant.
Melanin so bold, melanin so bright;
You cause a frenzy, a chaotic rapture of emotion!
Dont get lost in your own tailwind!
Oh black girl, you beautiful black girl
Love the skin you are in!
Love the skin you are in!
But one thing is necessary
Apr 28, 2016
Oh Lord, Nana, really ? You're complaining about the construction workers too? They are just doing their job.In the midst of my prayers I was reminded about the story of Martha and Mary, so eager to make sure I got all I had to say out to the Lord I decided to quickly turn to the scripture before I ended off my prayer.
This is what Jesus said to Martha,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary". | Luke 10: 41-42|
That one thing that was necessary was Christ. It wasn't the things that troubled Martha or made her anxious.She was missing out on the very thing that was in her midst that could take all her troubles away and calm her anxious heart. I was so worried about all the things on my mind I missed out on the presence of God. My focus was just making sure that God got everything in my life in check instead of just sitting at his feet and embracing how good He is. In not doing so, I forgot to be thankful about all the things that he has already done in my life thus far.
How many of us are Martha's? I know I am, but I'm working on it. I know it can be tough when you've been asking for a job and you've been applying everywhere and no one is calling you back--it's easy to complain. Or when God has given you promises but the promise is no where in sight. Let this be a reminder that although our troubles can weigh heavily on us, we shouldn't forget to give God the praise for all He has done or who He is in our lives. It's okay to be anxious about the future but don't forget the one thing that is necessary-- JESUS!
for the sake of his love,
NanaOhh.
To Value & Protect
Apr 25, 2016
I have been trying to write about this subject matter for what seems like a hundred years. I write and re-write because on one end, I have to maintain the facts that surround this subject, while at the same time making sure my emotions don’t overwhelm and take away from what I am trying to say. Sexual violence stories have taken quite a prominent role in our news stories, from Bill Cosby to Jian Ghomeshi. Women have been bravely coming forward to expose the violence done to them by these seemingly powerful figures, who generally had the respect and support of the public. What these stories have done has not only revealed how despicable and vile these men’s actions were, but they have also revealed how deeply imbedded patriarchy and misogyny is within ourselves.
I say it is within ourselves because we are society. Our
actions, words, beliefs, values have created the miasma that we live in. We
perpetuate patriarchy in how we talk about women, about men, about our
relationships with each other, with our environment. It’s done subtly and
expertly through movies, music, tv shows, art, fashion etc.
Sexual violence has no basis in any expression of love. When someone commits a sexual assault, they
are not loving, caring, valuing or protecting the person they are assaulting.
Instead, this person (or people) are using force to humiliate and dominate, control
and coerce another human being. Forcing submission.
Sexual assault isn’t contained in our general understanding
of extreme violence. Sexual assault can be forced oral contact (kissing), groping,
fondling, oral-genital contact, vaginal penetration and anal penetration.** When you impose your will upon another human being and you act upon
them without their consent, you are committing an act of violence. When you demean, and devalue, and essentially
kill someone’s spirit, you are committing an act of violence.
And what do we say when a man forces himself on a woman,
drugs her, fondles her, coerces her into sexual activity? Do we rise up in
anger over his actions? No. We look at the survivor of this man’s actions and
we wonder what she could have done to deserve the violence perpetrated against
her. There has to be a reason for this perfectly rational man to humiliate,
dominate, abuse, and exert his control on her body. Perhaps her dress was too
short? She was probably too flirty! She was definitely asking for it, having
her cleavage and ass out like that. It started off consensual and now she is
crying “sexual assault?” Oh, she’s just embarrassed to be labeled a whore! These
and many other phrases are used to justify acts of sexual violence! No one
deserves to be violated. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE VIOLATED.
But patriarchy says it’s ok. Patriarchy forces a silver
lining and says, “If how you behave, dress, and just generally if a man wants
you, he has the authority to exert force on you, uninvited or not.” Patriarchy
says that you can’t possibly sexually assault your spouse, because your spouse
belongs to you. They are your property to do as you please.” Misogyny says
there are times and places and moments where a woman DESERVES the violence she
receives from a man. Patriarchy and misogyny do not require consent. They don’t
respect boundaries. They say that you cannot withdraw consent. That you cannot
stop what you have started. That you are responsible for the sexual violence
perpetrated on you.
And we internalize this. We end up saying “Well, sometimes
girls are too flirty, or are dressed provocatively, so of course it’s going to
turn a guy on and make him want to do something…” Similar statements like these
are protecting and validating acts of sexual violence. Men become animals that
act out based on stimulus. They have no control. How then do we expect to have
healthy, respectful relationships with rabid, uncontrollable animals? How can
you not fear such an animal?
This place where we validate acts of sexual violence rather
than deploring it is killing all of us.
It’s hurting the way we relate to each other. It’s hurting the way we
support each other.
God calls us to be holy as he is holy (1Peter1:16). There is
no room for sexual violence (or any kind of violence) in Christ. Not when you
are single. Not when you have a significant other. Not when you have a spouse.
Using your power to abuse, humiliate, dominate, violate, exploit or coerce
another human being is not Christ-like. God tells us to build each other up (1
Thessalonians 5:11); to love one another (John 13:34). In Christ, we are to value and protect and
protect each other. Holiness is not just for women to clothe themselves in. Men
are to be Holy as well. Because when you start to value human life/ human
bodies, you will find it abhorrent to coerce, violate, humiliate or abuse
another human being.
Everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity.
When you use your power to dominate and humiliate, you have stripped away that
person’s Human Right. Furthermore, we must be vigilant in the music, films,
advertising, fashions that we consume that validate misogyny and patriarchy. We
can’t continue to prop up our friends, family, favourite artists, musicians,
fashion labels, producers, directors, teachers, professors, etc when they
perpetuate the very thing that is corroding our society. We cannot continue to
complain about patriarchy and misogyny when we find it entertaining and
harmless, depending on the context that suits us. Hold all these people
accountable. And most of all, let's hold ourselves accountable.
Sexual violence hurts all of us.
We need to STOP protecting people who commit sexual assault/sexual
violence.
The perpetrator is the one who is at fault.
Not the survivor.
For The Sake of His Love,
Chenai.
Bellow is the link to the sexual assault centre:
**https://www.sace.ab.ca/index.php/learn/online-lessons/sexual-assault
Bellow is the link to the sexual assault centre:
**https://www.sace.ab.ca/index.php/learn/online-lessons/sexual-assault
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