Dr. John Wm. Roberts, Ed.D., Contributing Writer
As stated in a previous column, “These are the times that try men’s souls”…taken from Thomas Paine’s ‘The American Crisis.’ In light of the inhuman chaos engulfing the country, our society, and, in rare occurrences, our churches, it’s time to remember where we, as followers of Christ, have come in this country built on the concept of religious freedom. During periods of history, African Americans were not allowed to assemble and worship God, nor were they allowed the simple dignities of recognition as equals, such as attending local schools, purchasing daily necessities, and using transportation without separation. It’s time for us to reset – remembering these indignities which are now being placed on many of God’s children who don’t fit the preconceived mold of ‘Americans.’ If we, as African Americans, are honest with ourselves, there was a time when certain shades of color within our community were treated differently. There was the ‘brown paper bag and ruler’ test, which determined which members of the community were allowed to participate in specific social organizations and even attend particular churches. This is not something to be proud of, but to be remembered. The same is true today, with many of God’s children being targeted because of the color shading of their God-given skin. This is a time when we must step back, reset our resolve, recharge our commitment to Jesus’ teaching, and resist the forces denying all the simple dignity of existence.
As we see images of God’s children being rounded up as cattle, shackled as criminals, degraded as subhuman, denied the dignity of recognition as a human, how many times have we turned a blind eye to those who are less fortunate, in need of assistance, in essence robbing them of the basic designation of recognition as human? How many times in our lives have we been in a position where we didn’t know where the necessary means of survival would come from, and yet, one of God’s earthly angels recognizes our needs and steps in to give us the needed helping hand? The Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20 [KJV] says… ”Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” The essential element of the commission is ‘go,’ not stay home and be complacent with our lives. By going into the world, recognition of human dignity is the key component. How often are we like travelers who look the other way, as in the parable of The Good Samaritan, and do not offer aid to those in need? God requires us to be God’s agents of assistance, comfort, but most of all, recognition of humanness in each of God’s creations.
When we reset our focus, recharge our commitment to Jesus’ teachings and commissions as found in the New Testament, we will resist the pull to be quiet when we see the dehumanization of God’s children and become the agents of dignity we are called to be. As God has welcomed us into the family of believers, our spiritual dignity is reinforced. As agents of God here on earth, let each of us recognize the dignity of those who may or may not have a spiritual connection, and give compassion, aid, and, most importantly, human dignity.
