Fighting Racial Injustice: A time for change

Against the landscape of a global pandemic and with many countries still in full or partial lockdowns, our world is being called to wake up and rise up against a history of injustices faced by the black community.

Photographer: Jonas Müller

Styling: Janine Aggen.

Hair & Makeup: Tina Fischach.

Retouch: Shearer Viljoen.

Models: Tanya Nzonzimbu, Rosaly Johannah and Fiifi Annan.

This past month for me as a black woman has brought with it a barrage of emotions. Like many, I have felt everything from anger and shock to weariness and exhaustion, and in some ways surprised myself with how sharp every emotion seemed to be. Unfortunately, racism in our world is not a new thing and an injustice such as George Floyd’s death at the hands of police is not an isolated incident in that there are too many names that came before. 

I realised that in some ways these things happening in the world had become such a ‘normality’ that many times rather than feeling my emotions and pressing against them I settled to believe that this is just ‘the way things are’. 

But something feels different about what’s happening right now. The Bible tells us there is a time for everything under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and now feels like the moment that humanity can shift to a place of reform.

‘Now feels like the moment humanity can shift to a place of reform.’

A time to speak

For so long the fight against racism has at times felt like it fell only on the shoulders of those experiencing it. It is our lived-in reality and therefore our fight but, this is far from true. In every corner and sphere, there is space for an awakening and it requires more than the sound of the same echoed voices but a harmonious chorus of humanity speaking up. 

One of my favourite songs says ‘Don’t hide in silence while the truth screams out’ (Hillsong United - Future Marches In) and this means speaking. Talking to each other about our experiences, talking openly about how we feel and spreading the word of the history of injustice. 

When it comes to spreading the word it is not enough for black people to speak up and stand with each other, rather we need to come together as humanity. Galatians 3:28 says that we are ‘all one in Christ’ and this is not to say we aren’t different, there is beauty in our diversity, but more that our differences are what allow us to actively choose unity. As Jesus is one with the Father so we are one and it’s in our oneness we are called to speak for those who cannot. Recognising the darkness in our world and shining a spotlight, through conversation, on issues that can no longer go unheard.

A time to act

We could look at the state of racism and injustice in our world and get disheartened at the magnitude of it. Perhaps we feel as though individually we can have little impact on what is a globalised issue but in fact we are all key to enacting change across the globe and it comes when we begin moving and stir others to take notice.

James 2:14 says ‘what good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?’ and following this vein, alongside having uncomfortable conversations and becoming more educated we must also try to express our convictions with impactful actions.

This will look different for many of us but having so many resources, tools and methods at our disposal means a multitude of ways to take action and put the weight of movement behind our words in one way or another.

‘The wound of racial injustice has once again been exposed.’

The time is now

When trying to understand my own personal experiences of racism through the lens of all that is happening in today’s society I come to an analogy of a cut on a hand. 

At first, it is small and treatable, almost insignificant even but rather than tending to the cut with required stitches you simply place a plaster over it and move on.  Now imagine exerting your hand in a way that agitates the cut so it can’t quite heal properly. Occasionally you might stumble or brush against something rough and the cut becomes a deep wound that grows bigger and now needs more than just a few stitches but you still remain with a simple plaster. 

Without even realising it the wound has become more serious than you could’ve imagined at the start. So used to using a simple plaster and avoiding the pain you don’t realise how much it hurts you and how much of this pain you carry into everyday situations.

This is where I feel I am personally. This is where I believe a lot of people are. And if we are here this is also where I believe Jesus is. The plaster has been taken off. The wound of racial injustice has now been exposed, and while it may not be a pretty sight it is necessary for true healing to take place. 

WORDS BY

Natasha Chisabingo