Day 152 "Clenching Fists Sends The Wrong Message"

The time has always been for the end of social injustice and inequality, especially when lives are at stake and are taken recklessly and callously away by some people without regard for human life. The point is clear, for equality and social justice to take place, all lives must matter! And the only way that all lives will matter is by each of us embracing the foundational truths about what love really is and develop an ongoing awareness of our own actions and attitudes towards embracing it. To do so would automatically begin to change the world in which we live and instinctively already understand that all "Black Lives Matters" to be a given.

The activities that take place in this world is are a far cry from perfection. And I think, and believe, that trying to bring heaven down to Earth is a futile attempt in trying to eradicate

all imperfection. It isn't going to happen. If it could, if we could achieve a moral and ethical behavior as a whole towards one another through our own efforts, then Christ would have died needlessly on the cross for our sinfulness. But the cold facts are that we are unable to save ourselves. Though we foolishly postulate that we can change the world, one need only look around our communities, our country, and our world to see continuous evidence that this is not the case. Mankind is incapable of learning from history because of our resistance in our human nature to turn away from selfishness and self-centeredness. This focus upon self-the very antithesis of what love really is-is tearing down the hopes and aspirations of those who once dreamed like Dr. Martin Luther King that one day this world can change. A half-century later, we seem even further away from such a dream turning into reality. There is darkness when the blind try to lead the blind.

Intolerance, greed, indifference, attitudes of superiority, immorality, hatred, and deaths all

make for a very volatile emotional cocktail that is being served up across the world stages today-and no greater example than right here in the United States. The protesters and the clenched fists have arisen to say, "We are not going to take this any more, it's time to protect rights of the people!" It is a great message, and one that needs to be rung throughout the lands. But the message is getting diluted and drowned out by the violation of other people's rights, many of whom are completely innocent and blameless of the injustices that the protesting is condemning. Businesses have been burned and looted. Personal property has been destroyed. Physical harm committed to those who would share any other thoughts and beliefs or resist any protest movement. What starts out as a protest against the violation of human rights becomes an exposé on violating the very rights the protesters seek to protect. One particular poignant abuse of protesting power is when it seeks to block roads from traffic flow preventing ambulances and fire trucks from responding to emergencies. People have died needlessly and innocently as repercussions of supposedly righteous acts deemed necessary in the shadows of these protests. Yet, who stands in the gap and seek to protect their rights of the innocents?

Like voices escalating in an argument, the clench fists communicates conflicting signals. On one hand, the raised fist, or the clenched fist, is a symbol of solidarity, support, and strength. But on the other hand, it symbolizes defiance and resistance. Will the beneficial one please stand up? The answer to which one is truly beneficial is found in the one motivated and directed by love. There are constructive, peaceful, and effective protests that have taken place throughout the world over time. I recently came across this article by Georgia Dover which makes some excellent points.

Peaceful vs. Non-peaceful protest. Which is more effective? Peaceful or non-Peaceful Protests?  By: Georgia Dover

Why is the Middle East in a State of Unrest? -Positive solution: It reminds people that even when governed by an oppressive regime, the power still lies with the people. -More common: On average, peaceful protests attract about 11 times more public participation than armed protests. -Inspiration: Many activists link their methods to successors such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Gandhi. Figures like these serve as inspiration to resistance movements. -Success rate: From 1900 to 2015, nonviolent campaigns succeeded 51 percent of the time, But violent campaigns succeeded 27 percent of the time.  - low-risk factor: Because peaceful protest is peaceful, there is a lower risk that you will get hurt if you choose to participate. -More organized: Peaceful protests are often more organized because the people participating have a calmer approach to change than their violent counterparts. 

Disadvantages to Peaceful Protests -Declining success: Although peaceful protests have become more common, their success rates have declined drastically since 2000 -Failure rate: 20% -Time: Because social and political change takes time. -Democracy is not guaranteed: Non-violent uprisings does not necessarily constitute democracy as the next step. Oftentimes, after a revolution has taken place things are sometimes so unorganized that the country falls into the hands of another oppressive leader. However, this could be argued for violent protest as well. - Has the potential to turn violent.

Advantages of Violent Protests -Some claim that violence is an instrument of politics. -Faster paced: Resolutions often end quicker with violence -Thomas Hobbes: described violence as "a rational means to achieve such political goals as territory, safety, and glory." -Stand your Ground: Many use violent protests as a way to enforce safety, maintain territory and enforce stability. -Glory: Many see violence as a way of protest as a glorious way to take back one's country.

Disadvantages of Violent Protests -failure rate: 60% -Disorganized: Protest groups often lose control of their followers which can lead to destruction of property, fires and even death. -Destruction: 27% of Syria's housing infrastructure has been destroyed. -Death: 250 protesters killed in Yemen, 3,500 killed in Syria, 100 in Bahrain.

Examples of Successful Peaceful Protests  -Recently peaceful protests have been far more successful, even before the Arab Spring, nonviolent campaigns and uprisings in: Serbia (2000), Madagascar (2002), Ukraine (2004), and Nepal (2006) succeeded in revolution via peace.

My point is that when protesting crosses the line of abusing the rights of other innocent people, the movement becomes dilutive in its efficiency and s destructive in its pathway. Neither of which is motivated any longer by love.

When love is no longer the main motivating force, fear and divisiveness will spread like a cancer across our land.

We can do better.

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44

The greatest commands:

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew22:37

"And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:39

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

The answer to our divisiveness and inability to get along with one another

here on Earth comes not through the pulling on the draws strings of worldly effort and actions but by the changing of hearts that seek to embrace love and its confluent affects. For that to take place, a calming voice greater than all the conflicting noises going on around us needs to be heard. A voice that draws us inward towards the self-discovery of our own unrighteous and imperfect behavior to discover a better way to live out our lives. That voice comes through the life of one solitary man. His name is Jesus.

"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

It is only God's unconditional love for each on of us that can flame the fire of equality and justice for all. Not the clenched fists of human effort. It is love that extends one's hand outward to offer a handshake of acceptance or steps forward to hug a brother.

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“Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

Love helps us to look at ourselves through God's mirror.

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)