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By Rev. George C. Gilbert Jr.
Rev. George C. Gilbert Jr. is the Assistant to the Pastor and Director of the Music Ministry at Holy Trinity United Baptist Church in Northeast, D.C. and a member of the Social Justice Commission part of the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
Once again, men and women of God come to the battlegrounds between Love vs. Hate, Right vs. Wrong, Truth vs. Lies, Righteousness vs. Evil, Justice vs. Injustice, and ultimately, God vs. Satan. We, The Social Justice Commission of the Progressive National Baptist Convention come in solidarity with the family of Ahmaud Arbery, to demand justice and to stand against America’s greatest sin – Racism. When our young men lives become in danger while jogging due to the ever-present hatred of racism, it’s time for action. When our young men are shot to death in the middle of the day without committing a crime; it is time for us to come together. When a police department puts friendship over finding the facts; it is time for us to rally together. It’s time that we no longer accept the actions of a system of White imperialism, but instead we implore you to join with us to tear down the walls of a colonial racist empire rooted in the worship of whiteness throughout our land.
It is with great sympathy and heartfelt love that our hearts go out to the family of Brother Ahmaud Arbery. On February 23, 2020, Brother Arbery was out jogging near his home on a Sunday afternoon in Brunswick, Georgia, when two White men ambushed him, shot him at least two times, and killed in the middle of the street. Ahmaud was unarmed, broke no laws, and did nothing wrong. He was only 25 years old. The attackers were Gregory McMichael, a former police officer and retired investigator for the District Attorney’s office, and his son Travis McMichael. When the McMichaels saw Ahmaud running in their neighborhood, Satilla Shores, a predominately White community, they immediately armed themselves with a shotgun and a .357 magnum, entered their pickup truck, and hunted Ahmaud down as an animal in the wild.
The African American community is under attack. We are under attack from racist police officers who beat and shoot first and ask questions later. We are under attack by citizens who feel that we do not belong in their parks nor housing developments. We are under attack by a prejudice White America who has been instilled that Black lives do not matter. We are under attack by a system of imperialistic colonialism that teaches White America that everything Black is wrong and that people of color are no more than a detriment to the success of this country. This evilness is the root to the killing of Brother Ahmaud. It is because of America’s intentional silence of her sins, that we come once again with blood spilled on the streets. Where is the outrage from the Evangelicals who proclaim that they stand for justice and righteousness? Where are the voices from the politicians who ask for the votes of Black communities year after year? Where is the love and compassion from our beloved good white friends who profess that they do not see color?
Though the forces of darkness however apparent their ascendency may seem at this present hour, shall not ultimately prevail. EPHESIANS 6:12-13 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
The Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) is a convention of Black Baptist, which reflects the religious, social and political climate of its time.
The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to [email protected]
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