Good Friday - Be the Bridge

 

As an EdTech Coach, you may be wondering why many of my blog posts are connected to "equity" rather than "technology".  Full transparency... the deeper I go into this work now that I'm outside the four walls of my classroom, the more I uncover inequities that exist public education. What I'm finding has shaken me to my core.  I could just choose to ignore what I find and accept the status quo, but that's not who I am or who the Lord made me to be.  

On this Good Friday, I'm reflecting on the actions of Jesus and how he created a bridge to God for humanity by sacrificing his life.  I recently finished reading Latasha Morrison's book "Be the Bridge" and her poignant message at the end of her book I found to be spot on.  She says,

"Bridges are built not with passivity or avoidance but with the deep, hard work of seeking to understand.  The deep, hard work of fighting for justice for all.  Love is always a fight worth taking on. ... Jesus Christ showed us the way to love and live - and it was shocking: he chose to lay down his power and privilege and, in the end, his life for the good of others.  He isn't just our Savior; he is our example." (p. 220 - 221)

So, with inspiration from Latasha Morrison's book and also Glenn Singleton's book "Corageous Conversations About Race", I wrote a poem that I'd like to share with you.  As we approach Easter, I hope this poem serves as a reminder of where we have come from as a nation and how we can reconcile the sins of our past to create a better future.  We all have the opportunity to "Be the Bridge" for racial reconcilation in our schools, churches, and communities; I hope you'll join me in being a bridge builder.  

“Be the Bridge”

by Ashley Yazarlou
a poem inspired by the books Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison 
& Courageous Conversations About Race by Glenn Singleton

The corruption of our American nation began with invasion

otherwise known as Spanish exploration and European colonization. 

We stole land from the Natives and exiled them to reservations 

while dehumanizing African slaves in bondage on our plantations.

Then Lincoln set the slaves “free” through the Emancipation Proclamation 

but we condoned “lawful” oppression and the KKK’s lynching executions 

during 100 years of Jim Crow legislation which enforced segregation.

Then there was redlining subsidization from the Federal Housing Administration,

healthcare discrimination, voter suppression, and inequitable education 

even after the boycotts and the demonstrations of the Civil Rights declaration. 

Through 50 years of deportation, the “war on drugs” and mass incarceration

Black and brown communities have endured the agony of familial separation.

And our government can’t be bothered with restitutions or reparations?

We need to take the advice of Latasha Morrison 

and put our dedication towards healing and restoration.

Acknowledge the past and the scars left on our population, 

feel the pain of our violations through lamentation.

Stop the denial and rationalizations, and follow our convictions, 

confront the shame and guilt through repentance and confession. 

The sinful strife started from our very foundation 

so we can’t ignore the impact it’s had on generations.

Glenn Singleton says, “let’s have courageous conversations”

to put an end to racism and unjust systemizations.

We can Be the Bridge to racial reconciliation.