Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Then  the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" 
"I don't know, " he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
But the Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!..." Genesis 4:9-10

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Just like everyone else I am working to navigate my way through everything that has come to consume our world today. The onslaught of COVID-19 and social distancing has been an adjustment in and of itself. Then, the murder of George Floyd and the wide spread civil unrest that ensued has taken our hearts and emotions into a totally different realm. 

Since the murder of George Floyd, I have spent days crying, hurt, angry and wondering how to respond. Ultimately, I landed at the feet of Jesus. What does God have to say about all of this? While God beautifully reminded me that racism and injustice grieve Him and are against the foundation of who He is - LOVE; He also impressed upon me how he responds to the shedding of innocent blood. The passage above, it was the innocent blood of Cain's brother Abel that called out to God and provoked Him to ask the question, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain's reply is embedded in too many reactions I have heard over the years. As Americans, do we feel responsible to be able to answer to the whereabouts of our brothers and sisters. God is the creator of us all. When our fellow brother or sisters lie dead on the ground the problem does not rest with one individual but the collective.    In the instances of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, (and many others like them), God is inquiring of us, "Where is your brother/sister ___________." What should our answer be? 

So why am I doing this blog? I started this blog because God impressed it upon me to share the history of our people and answer the statement I have heard far too often when it comes to murder of black men/women due to police brutality and racism..., "I need more details," and, "We don't have all the information," or, "The media is not showing the whole story." There is one I heard recently that suggested that racism is being given to black people to manipulate, and control the political narrative. This is a place where I pray you will get the information you need, some sources to back it up but most of all I pray it induces empathy in inspiration to act in love.  I want to inspire us to not just look at the data, the details, and the facts but to to be introspective. If I am to be my brother's keeper, I have to first start with my own heart and then move outward. This command extends beyond the injustices of Blacks in America. As a black woman, can I extend the same care and grace to my white and brown brothers and sisters? We must all be willing to take a hard look at ourselves so that we can be honest with God and make the necessary changes for our land and hearts to heal.  It is the only way to come to the table and bridge the gap to reach understanding.