Peace cannot Exist Without Justice: 1/6 Reflections

“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option – for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.”

– John Lewis

Today marks one year since the insurrection at the capital.

On that day, thousands of mainly white people stormed and destroyed property, harmed and threatened politicians and police, stole, desecrated and blatantly disrespected the peaceful transfer of power between presidents.

One year later- few have been brought to justice and many still deny the truth of that day and the very election that spurned the attack.

We all know- had that group of insurrectionists been Black or associated with BLM, they all would have been killed.

But since it was mainly white “patriots” putting on a show incited by the failed president and racist conservatives, there has been little to no consequences.

If possible, the country is even more conflicted, confused and divided.

Loss of life increases. Loss of quality of life increases, and per usual in our history, the BIPOC communities are hurt the most.

To say “power remains unchecked” and “justice reserved for a select few,” barely covers it, but it does simplify the nature of the beast.

Ancestor John Lewis tells us peace cannot exist where justice is not served,

and today, more than ever, we see how un-peaceful this country is.

How, when, why will be finally be free of white supremacy and the systems of corruption, no one can say.

But we can try to do our part.

There is a story about a person walking on the beach, and they realize there are thousands of starfish washed ashore.

Thousands of starfish, helpless.

Further down the beach, another person is throwing them back into the sea, one by one.

The first person says “you will never get to them all! How can you think you can make a difference.”

The other person, as they toss another starfish back into the water says quietly, “made a difference to that one.”

We will continue, one day at a time, one cause at a time, to return to peace and justice.