fires of racism, burning churches

Racism?

Religious oppression? 

Hate crimes? 

Terrorism? 

A few weeks back everyone was talking about this. the shootings in Charleston, the burning of churches... now things have shifted to the confederate flag, and the shooting in TN, and many other sad happenings in our nation and world. 
But, back a few weeks ago as I was processing all i was hearing and reading, I saw a meme, that spoke to the riots in Ferguson, showing a picture of a looted CVS noting all of the weeks of media attention, and then a picture of one of the burned churches saying "silence".

The point of the meme was that no one is caring that "Christians are being persecuted"... but, I honestly do not believe that is what is happening. The shooting in Charleston, and the burning of churches that followed are acts of violent, hate filled, oppressive racism.
This got me thinking...

CVS destroyed and protests in the streets was against "us"... 
("Us" being the majority culture, white culture) 
The destroying of the black churches is uniquely solely against "them"... 
("Them" being non-white, minority culture)

There is nothing as completely identified with the African American community, identity, strength and unity under oppression, as the black churches. It is far more than a place of religious identity and practice. 
Burning these African American churches burns what these structures have stood for, as a place of gathering and safety for their community from the world around them that sadly is still so hostile. During the days of legalized slavery these meetings to worship were hidden and secret. No, not because the slave owners didn't want them to worship Jesus... The slave owners more often than not called themselves "Christians" and went to church, white church... it was because this gathering to worship and pray was also an act of unity in identity and culture and remembering history that was threatening to the white slave owners. The African American church today still holds depth of cultural identity. I write these thoughts as a white women, and here is a quote sharing similar thoughts from  NAACP President Cornell William Brooks:

"The NAACP’s Brooks noted that for centuries, black churches have served as the “epicenter of survival for many in the African-American community,” which has historically made them a target of violence. “We will use every tool in our advocacy arsenal to preserve these beloved institutions.”
Muse also noted that black churches have been a very important part of black history, including their vital role as the epicenter of the civil rights movement. “They’re a place where people go to worship, do community service, care for the sick and weary,” he said. “It’s more than a house of worship to the black community. It’s a cultural and social institution and we take [things like this] very personally.” Why we should pay attention to the 7 Black Churches that have burned

Perhaps this is hard to believe, perhaps if you are majority culture like me, you want to believe this is all in the past and now we value eachother equally, but sadly the hostility and prejudice has not gone away. 

There still remains the sinful destructive belief in our culture that one person or group of people is better than, more deserving than, valued higher than, another.  

No, not everyone intentionally believes this or acts on this belief. There are varying skin tones in all economic spheres, but it's not hard to tell when you look at a few statistics, that the disparity and inequality still exists.
Many have rightly warned, "just because we have a president with darker skin tones, doesn't mean we have solved racism and that it is now just a problem of the past"
This is all too apparent today.
No, we have not solved the inequality. We have not solved the fear, the entitlement, the anger, the prejudice (pre-judgement) due to a person's skin tone or, even more subtle but true, their economic status.
There is a deep sadness felt across our nation by our African American brothers and sisters. I don't wonder many are angry. I am actually amazed at the overwhelming response from the African American community of forgiveness, and "non-violent" determination to rebuild, heal, and move forward together. My heart is grieved. 
brothers and sisters, let us not just move on to the next sad news story. Let us honestly come together in prayer and repentance for all the sin and brokenness in our own hearts, and in our communities. Let us work towards healing and restoration. 
This is not easy. but we must not keep silent. 

Prayer vigil at the Cambridge City Hall on friday after the shootings in Charleston SC

Chalk art creations with neighbors and random strangers on my street soon after the shootings.