 |
| Dietrich Bonhoffer |
Face of Evil…those words present differently to everyone.
For a four year old? What does a four year old see as evil? Maybe, just scary, which is plenty.
For teens? Evil? Would they recognize true evil beyond “American Horror Story”?
Ah, but for adults…adults see evil in its many forms. Evil comes in the form of amoral, sociopaths, psychopaths, and every other “path” in the world. Adults have the ability to sense evil coursing about them. Some adults choose to shake it off while others turn to face evil in its face.
This is a time of great evil.
Watching the sincere protests in the streets following the horrific murder of a man pleading for his life raises anger, no, rage at the death of this man .
And then to see the following senseless destruction of property and people livelihoods tarnishes and displaces the righteous anger all should be experiencing. These have distinctly different goals. Confusion remains.
Confusion can't be disregarded, but it can be pushed aside to recognize the most important evil of all: ignoring the value of each life.
Lives matter. All lives. Lives of Black, Mexican, Native American, Asian, White, and, especially, Blue--no matter the race, each life changes history in some undefinable way.
The lives that were taken, lives that have been ignored, lives that are discounted or seen as useless---these lives cross race lines and mix into the soup of injustice.
Face evil. See it for what it is. Face it down.
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a time of great evil.
Watching the sincere protests in the streets following the horrific murder of a man pleading for his life raises anger, no, rage at the death of this man .
And then to see the following senseless destruction of property and people livelihoods tarnishes and displaces the righteous anger all should be experiencing. These have distinctly different goals. Confusion remains.
Confusion can't be disregarded, but it can be pushed aside to recognize the most important evil of all: ignoring the value of each life.
Lives matter. All lives. Lives of Black, Mexican, Native American, Asian, White, and, especially, Blue--no matter the race, each life changes history in some undefinable way.
The lives that were taken, lives that have been ignored, lives that are discounted or seen as useless---these lives cross race lines and mix into the soup of injustice.
Face evil. See it for what it is. Face it down.
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." Martin Luther King, Jr.
So many seeing evil, look away. “Not my problem”. We are all guilty, even though it is hard to admit. We must do better. Now is the time, as justice and lives cannot wait any longer.
ReplyDeleteThe is the truth: face evil and change its cause.
DeleteVery well written and expressed. THANKS. YES we must see past the evil that uses situations to raise it's head. Distinguishing between true CHANGE and some of the accompanying hate and evil is very important at this time in our lives.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is our duty to face it and KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT!
Sherry & jack
To know what is right and then to do what is right!
DeleteLet's see if America has the political will to save itself from going further down the road of hate and fascism. It's now or never, people.
ReplyDeletethis is the time to change and improve the views taken of races.
DeleteWhat a thought provoking post, Susan and so beautifully written. We live in times I never expected to see. I hope we can get through them without too much permanent damage but I don't know how optimistic I am.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I were talking about our oldest gr-kids will remember "the way it was", maybe tell their kids about "In the old days...".
DeleteThe quotes at the beginning and end of the post should say it ll. Unfortunately too many just don't get it. I lived in the big city too long. It is where I raised my children. I have seen so many atrocities. On both sides of the law. I have hope that things will change.
ReplyDeleteIn the county where I grew up, it was "white bread", still is. I wonder if other counties in Illinois are still that way.
DeleteWell said. Evil triumphs when good people do nothing. The silent majority has been silent far too long.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time in my life, I would join a riot in anger to face the evil. Maybe it is because I have seen a lifetime of such injustice and hate.
DeleteWonderfully, perfectly expressed! I pray for change … real change v. the old 'change for change's sake' taking place. Unfortunately, I expect to witness it in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThat should have read, "I don't expect …"
DeleteSame here. Too much has to happen.
DeleteSadly yes.
ReplyDeleteAnd the quotes which bookend the post say it all.
It is time for us all to stand up and speak out.
We cannot afford to stay quiet on issues such as this one.
DeleteThe first thing we need to affect change is awareness. Okay, now we are aware. Now we move on to actions.
ReplyDeleteIt is so gratifying to see that this particular horrific act has brought out the people...and their voices.
Now we can begin to affect the change we've needed for generations.
Maybe this time we'll actually get something done about this. For too long we've gotten complacent and not followed through on equality for all.
ReplyDeleteTruly hope so.
DeleteKnow that, in my mind, I am standing and applauding right now. Thank God I still know a handful of sane people who GET IT.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that. People of faith perceive evil for what it is.
DeleteWell said. Read M. Scott Peck. He did some serious study on the subject.
ReplyDeleteThat would be something to read. Thanks.
DeletePhotos of Aracely Henriquez the woman kidnapped and brutally beaten by George Floyd and his five accomplices, as they searched her home for drugs and money show the work of evil.
ReplyDeleteShe was pregnant at the time, and Floyd asked her if she wanted him to kill her baby. That is evil.
And the perpetrator of that evil was given a funeral that made him out to be an angel...a martyr....
Perhaps more should read the words of Martin Luther King Jnr. His words should be put up on flashing, neon billboards...world-wide!
Oh no! Still, no matter his crimes, Floyd was murdered. Why he wasn't locked up then is beyond understanding.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to say truth will out, but I am not so sure.
I'm not condoning the way Floyd died, Susan...but making him out to be a martyr is wrong...so wrong...
DeleteDerek Chauvin and Tou Thao two of the four Minnesota police officers who were at the scene when George Floyd was restrained have questions to be answered...all four do. Chauvin, in particular, should face charges. Floyd, it has been alleged, was high on ice at the time of his apprehension...and death.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8366533/George-Floyd-moved-Minneapolis-start-new-life-released-prison-Texas.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11717522/who-george-floyd-why-arrested-minneapolis/
Thank you! After your comment, I looked him up and he was a dangerous person. I will definitely go to these sites.
DeleteI appreciate your follow-up. Information has to be accessible.
He was indeed a dangerous man. Just the same he was murdered.
DeleteTwo wrongs do not make a right. Justice was not served.
I see evil here when the almost-well-known drug dealers turn up and knock on the doors where they know they are welcome, and I say nothing, I do nothing. Because I fear any retaliation. I have occasionally sent anonymous emails to the crimestoppers website here, but only if I have proof, such as photos of their cars and licence plates. But these days I'm more likely to lock my doors and draw the curtains closed instead.
ReplyDeleteWe lock the door. Very apt description.
DeleteFascinating post. The concept of evil is an old one. Many secular humanists, of which I consider myself one, try to live by a developed ethical system but tend not to use the concept of evil. I personally do think that it is useful. But I wonder just when we should apply it. The Nazis clearly committed evil. But many other situations are not so clear cut. One could write whole volumes over this. Some have done so. These are not easy questions.
ReplyDeleteIt is so totally confusing. How was this allowed? Why did the policeman be allowed to become on? How are candidates to become a policeman tested and evaluates? How. How.
DeleteHi Susan - we always need to think, before we react ... and we need to understand more. Equally everyone's life is important ... thank you for this - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThe hope and prayer is that we will view each other with more understanding and respect.
DeleteNo matter how bad person Floyd was watching him dying under the knee of policemen was horrifying experience dear Susan
ReplyDeleteEvil is strengthened when good people turn back and say "it's not my concern "
This is poignant read and touching indeed
Watching that video was indescribable. A man dying in front of millions of people was sickening. That officer murdered him, while other policemen turned their back. Not my problem.
DeleteIt is not about what George Floyd had done in the past, it is about what the policemen did in that 8+ minutes and what has been going on for 400 years.
ReplyDeleteThe 8+ minutes are changing history.
DeleteBlack Lives Matter
ReplyDeleteThey absolutely do matter.
DeleteHappy Juneteenth
DeleteCan you imagine the atmosphere in Texas when this happened?? We just watched "Texas", 10 episodes (I think) from Alamo to Santa Anna's mtg with Andrew Jackson. It portrayed racism, divisive behaviors, the scale (white > Mexican > native Americans > black slaves. It was enlightening.
DeleteJuneteenth is a day to celebrate all over, esp. in Texas.
We need to make sure that even those who are dangerous are detained appropriately and allowed to face charges and defend themselves, as our Constitution allows. It's that simple, and that complex.
ReplyDeleteNow the riots for BLM have dissipated and become an anarchy mob. Now there is talk of taking out the white Jesus.
Delete