Hope along the long road to reparations

For the theme this month, at first, I felt overwhelmed. Where does one begin? As a people we have a monumental task to confer restitution and reparations to the descendants of the American enslaved who were forcibly stolen from their communities in Africa. This is obvious to me. My time, my talents, and my treasure are part of my contribution to this end. It’s not because I am special or any better than anyone else. I’m acting with simple common sense.

To turn injustice toward justice is a duty that no one must shirk. Our justice is always tied up in the justice of others. Will those shirking their duty and mishandling the responsibility to bring restoration and reparations to rightful justice to those harmed in the American institution of chattel slavery be reading this article or even care a little bit about what I have to say? I doubt it. So, maybe what I’m sharing isn’t for them.

For those harmed: Acknowledge the pain and grief. Acknowledge that things have not been right and are still not right. Acknowledge that economic and other kinds of repayment or restitution never can settle the debt that evil perpetrated for so very long. The debt remains. It will remain. It sits visibly as a witness to our history and the vileness of too many of its people. Erasing the memory or turning the page is tempting for those who can dominate the narrative for their benefit, yet the debt and its manifold carnage stand evermore in accusation and unceasingly demands justice. The plaintiff will not be deterred.

Those whose actions push off the issue or ignore meaningful reparations must know this comes at the highest price. A fatal sicken of soul. The nation’s soul and likely its destiny of demise. But also, to all those accomplices to the con of ignoring the greatest injustice of our Empire, there is a bondage to evil for you that never subsides. There is a rotten core impossible to ignore. You will continue to slink toward a pitiful shadow version of a human life. One who can never know the joy of making things right or of sharing in the happiness of a life well done. Remember to do nothing is to side with and perpetuate injustice.

To you, I say change course. Your end is coming and what you have done or not done will be your legacy. Will you give a curse to your kin after you just as your ancestors bequeathed you the curse of upcoming ruin? Evil bankrupts future generations and our souls—therefore only create blessings. No more excuses.

I have no comfort to offer those opposed to meaningful reparations. Let a refining fire burn away all the evil in you and in this country until only righteousness remains.

Lisa Colón DeLay

I see you who have suffered under the weight. I see you who are worn and weary. I know you. I honor you. The sensation of exhaustion or the urge to give up the struggle to secure justice may feel like a living strangulation. Your tears are not forgotten.

For all those who await national commencement of “The Three Rs of Apology: taking responsibility, genuine remorse, and meaningful reparations” I edify you to not attach your peace, your worth, or your joy to the actions or inactions of others. May you never grow weary of keeping on or grow weary of doing good.

Truly, this is a time of lament, of grieving, of pain. This is also a time for persistence, for pushing onward, and for gathering strength, together. We become drops in the mighty river of justice that flows. A river that cleans and clears away death and debris and brings health and life to a dry and barren land cracked and withering from forces, institutions, policies, and perpetrators of evil.

I offer this meditation and blessing for our collective nourishment:

How long, O’ Lord? 

How long?

My soul is weary. 

My bones ache. 

My heart is faint.

My legs are tired.

Keep me close to your loving kindness.

Renew my strength and fill me with your Spirit.

Evil doers tell lies. 

They make light of atrocities and hate. 

They attempt to blot out the memories of the past,

so they can escape their guilt and their responsibility to justice.

Foil their plans, O God. Let the plaintiffs win the day.

Drive the evil doers to madness and despair that leads them to repentance and righteousness.

Gather our broken pieces with your healing grace.

Mend our hearts with your everlasting goodness.

Bless and enrich the down trodden, the apple of your eye. 

Our hope is in you and your eternal righteousness that makes all things right.

By Lisa Colón DeLay