Somehow, the action of the white police officer seems symbolic as well as personal. For many centuries, black people have been 'suffocated', the life choked out of them, by the brutality and oppression of white people who believed themselves superior. Although this has not always led to physical suffering and death - all too often it has - it has certainly meant poverty and degradation for countless millions. And still does.Having lived most of my life in Liverpool, I am acutely aware of the evils of the slave trade, upon which the economy of that city was built, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. To our shame, many Liverpool church buildings were established by wealthy merchants who made their fortune from it. Nearly six years ago, Les and I had a holiday in Antigua where we spent a day in the company of a local man who showed us around that beautiful island. Amidst all the pleasure of that day, I can remember an aching sorrow and indignation when we were shown the sites of sugar plantations, where black slaves were made to work in extreme poverty and hardship. We were also taken to the site where many slaves took their own lives in desperation.
It is right to protest against injustice and oppression. And people of God have been doing so from the beginning of time, bearing witness to the 'oneness' of creation, the impartiality of God - and indeed God's evident (in the Bible) bias to the poor and disadvantaged. It is the prophetic role of the Church.
But that is not the theme of this blog as such. Much time and energy has been given over in social media recently to anger against men who behave badly in public life. A posing president, the cummings and going of a political adviser, for example. I think we have to be careful to distinguish between personal attack on a figure who has angered us, and upholding justice and righteousness in public policy and debate. There is an old adage that when we point the finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at us. Or, as Jesus put it, 'Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.'
Who of us can claim not to be prejudiced? Who of us can say we have never behaved deceitfully or dishonestly? Or have not put our own interests before those of someone else?
The Christian world view asserts that those in authority govern 'by divine permission', and therefore have to answer to a much higher court than that of public opinion. So let God be the judge of those who behave badly in political or public office.
But, of course, when that bad behaviour translates into policies which harm the poor, the marginalised, the weakest members of society - then, the people of God must join with others to cry out on their behalf. When men (or women, of course) behave badly in public office, why waste time and energy attacking them? Rather, take note of the attitudes they display, the mindsets they reveal - and be ready to check out their credentials in government. And protest loudly if necessary!
Eleanor has produced another painting, which signifies the goodness that is all around us - the goodness of God in human lives. Thank you Eleanor.
