Breonna’s on my mind today. I’m on a little break, but I’m tuned in — to her death. Tuned in to the colonialism that shapes this Puerto Rican paradise where I find myself. Tuned in to the slave trade, and to the anti-Indigenous and anti-Blackness it fostered. Tuned in to the persistence of bigotry in our nation.
We live in a nation that does not value Black lives. In fact, I think Blackness is despised by more people than we dare admit. We live in a nation where poor Black and Brown people are prone to have their doors bashed in, no-knock warrants issued — because finding drugs is more important than their peaceful lives. We live in a nation where Breonna was killed while sleeping. Ahmaud was killed while running. George Floyd was killed with a knee on his neck. And now, Black Lives Matter Plaza is being dug up, destroyed — because this administration wants to erase any evidence of Black progress. Their attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion? It’s just code for an attack on Blackness.
I’m sad. I’m angry. I’m so disappointed that we elected this sociopath to run our country. And I’m disgusted at the persistence of anti-Blackness in our culture.
My heart breaks at the swiftness with which our human rights gains are reversed. If you can be shot to death because you’re sleeping while Black, then you can also be arrested and deported for speaking up at a protest because your green card fails to protect you. I need us to connect these dots, family. We are each other’s keepers. When they came for Breonna and Ahmaud and George and Mahmoud, they came for us.
So let’s stay alert. Stay vigilant. Let’s understand that our faith isn’t about working toward some parachute out of this world. But our faith is about making this world the reign of God on earth. That requires truth-telling. That requires conflict. That requires nonviolent confrontation. That requires perseverance. That requires an intersectional lens — understanding that our fates are inextricably connected. You can’t be who you’re called to be until I am. None of us is free until we are all free.
This administration is determined to shock us into overwhelm and silence. Our job is to pick the one or two things that matter most to us and dive in — whole heartedly. Teach your children about those issues. Learn about those issues. Campaign about those issues. Make phone calls about those issues. Get in the streets about those issues. Be an expert in those issues. And be clear that you are the one we’ve been waiting for — to make a difference.
In the name of Breonna. In the name of Mahmoud. In the name of God.
We are all tired. Take a break. Take a breath. And when you’re able — jump back in.
We got this. I need us to have this. I believe in us.
Stay tuned for things to learn and do. Join me and Rev. Natalie for Integrating Into a Burning House: Conversations for Survival on March 18 at 7 PM ET. Watch my latest sermon, What to Do About Others. And this fall, join us for the Freedom Rising Conference — a chance to commune with folks doing love and justice work.
But most importantly — breathe.
I’m praying for us all. Especially today, I’m praying for Breonna’s mom and Mahmoud’s wife.
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York. Celebrated internationally for her dynamic preaching and commitment to building a just society with fierce love, Dr. Lewis champions racial, economic, and gender/sexuality justice. The author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible,” her work has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, NPR and in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Ebony and Essence Magazines.
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