Literally, No Justice ... Just Peace!

The shouts of “No justice, No peace!” were heard during the marches following the recent deaths of #FreddieGray and #WalterScott, two unarmed men who were killed by police officers. The chant, a familiar battle cry, means that if people are not treated morally right, or if injustice continues to prevail, there will be no peace. People will protest, riot, boycott, or whatever they need to do until justice is served. From the people's view, justice comes from firing someone, pressing charges, getting a conviction, or serving any other form of accountability. In this sense, justice is some type of punishment for a wrongdoing. It is reactionary--meaning something unjust must have occurred in order for someone to profess the need of justice.

Well justice for me isn’t good enough. As Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer professed, I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m tired of seeking punishment for wrongdoing. I’m tired of advocating our worthiness. I'm tired of celebrating indictments. I'm tired, and I just want Peace. Peace means our country has come to terms with its racist past, has made a commitment to dismantling systemic racism, and is working towards social and economic equity for all.  Peace means that #FreddieGray is home with his mom. Peace means #RekiaBoyd is spending another warm night out with her friends. Peace is #RenishaMcBride celebrating her 21st birthday. Peace is, Lord have mercy, peace is Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Ethel Lance, Susie Jackson, Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Daniel Simmons Sr, and DePayne Middleton Doctor showing up to church on Sunday to talk about what they learned on Wednesday.

I want us to live in peace, love in peace, raise our kids in peace, work in peace, be with family and friends in peace, and worship in peace. I just want us to exist … in peace.

 Literally, no justice; just peace.

#disruptivepeace #peacemaker #antiracisteducator