The Battle for the Soul of America
By Rev. Dr. Gregory Vaughn Eason, Sr., 6th Episcopal District
Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” These words ring true today as we come face-to-face with foundational issues for American democracy. Voting and justice are the bedrock of a democratic society. However, we must not forget that slavery and segregation undergird the racism that is America’s original sin. The question with voter suppression laws threatening the foundation of our democracy and with social justice at stake is what must we do to redeem the soul of our nation?
First, we must admit our shortcomings as a democratic society. The new wave of voter suppression is not just. It is based on the big lie that the election was stolen. Moreover, the voter suppression laws in Georgia are clear, blatant, and flagrant. They are obviously retribution tactics in response to the Republican Party having lost the presidential election and two senatorial elections.
These laws advance the suppression of black and brown voting strength. They criminalize handing out food and water to voters waiting in polling lines; severely limit drop box availability; adds ID requirements for absentee voting, with voters having to provide the last digits of their licenses or state ID number—neither of which more than 200,000 Georgia voters possess; allow the State Election Board to seize control of local elections offices they deem “underperforming;” ban mobile voting units like those used by Fulton County in the past for early voting, except in emergencies; shorten mail-in ballot request and return periods; disqualify provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct, erasing the votes of thousands of Georgians; restrict out-of-precinct voters from having their provisional ballots counted unless after 5 pm and with a signed statement that they couldn’t make it to the right poll; shorten the run-off elections period from nine weeks to four weeks, and shorten the early voting period for run-offs.
As if voter suppression wasn’t enough, the Derrick Chauvin case in Minnesota tests the soul of our nation. Officer Chauvin put his knee on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, on video for the world to see. It is obvious that he is guilty. If the race of the victim and perpetrator were reversed, the trial would be cut and dried. Meanwhile, Breonna Taylor’s killers were not brought to trial. The beat goes on. Yet, the question remains, with foundations threatened and danger of being destroyed, what must the righteous do?
After reckoning with our shortcomings, we must pray. We must not offer passive prayers but active prayers to a God who loves justice, is a God of the oppressed, and sees the injustice of God’s people.
We must speak truth to power. Like the widow in Luke 18, we must be advocates for freedom in an unjust society. The truth must be ever before our nation. We must not get weary.
We must protest. Our protest must be non-violent yet determined. Whether marching or boycotting, we must let our voices be heard. America was built on the right to protest for what is right.
Luke 9:25 asks, “What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” Our nation has been a prominent world power for a long time. We are the richest nation in the history of the world. All could be lost if we lose our national soul.
Let’s work to have a nation with a soul that believes in the dignity and worth of all God’s people. Let’s work for a nation that truly believes that all people are “made in the image and likeness of God.” Let’s work for a nation that is “receiving, welcoming, caring, and loving.” Then, and only then, the foundations will be solid with peace and righteous justice.
