In our effort to gain riches and power, we have been (and perhaps still are) proven so willing to disrespect, cheat and even sacrifice the welfare and lives of others. And in such a state, we must avoid truthful mirrors at all costs. Otherwise, we could not stand ourselves to the point we must not only deeply repent, but also find commensurate acts of restitution and restoration, knowing we are debtors of a global scale, deeply knowing that nothing we do or surrender can restore the lives and years that have been irreparably taken by our hands and by the hands of our forefathers and foremothers, and others who look like us.

But, if we remain so driven, we must find mirrors that lie to us; and they do lie: in our schools, in our churches, in the circles we move in and the heroes we are told to look up to. There is nothing good or honorable about that. Andrew Jackson remains on the US twenty-dollar bill, while all the blood on the ground and tears on the Trail still cry out to the God some say they worship.

Of course, truth can hurt. Truth may require payment and repayment. And because the truth can be so costly, inventions are created, stories, and distractions. These become our truth-alternatives; our instead-of truth that we teach our children, we tell ourselves, each other. The Bible speaks of Antichrist, who will strongly be, for many, instead of Christ. Beware of what comes to replace and is accepted instead of truth.

But as to our stories, in museums, monuments, pulpits and classrooms, if I make myself the victim, the center and object of concern in my own version, it can nullify everything you say and justify everything I do. That may even give me opportunities to tweak the structures even more in my favor. But how could I then appreciate or respect you? How could I look you in the eye and love you as myself? And yours as my own? How? Especially if you know the parts to the story that I cannot even look at myself in the mirror to say out loud? Please understand, this way is so much easier.

Now people have opportunity, time and space to confess, to repent, to do justly and do better than “make amends.” One day, God will say, “Enough.” And not like we’ve done enough, but when he’s had enough. Sodom had no Bible, but they had Lot. Nineveh had no Bible, but they had Jonah. Babylon…

And here, now? They have us. Some of us. Please take my hand. We are going to change the world.