Re: Ken Trainor’s Viewpoints column on Dec. 3, Hungry, thirsty, and unsatisfied in Ferguson:
The Ferguson issue is so confusing and raises so many issues, emotions and perspectives. Ferguson is a symbol for a much larger problem. The debate could be endless, which isn’t helpful. How do we help heal the world’s difficult problems? How do we each deal with our feelings and prevent an entrenched sense of victimization? How do we stop this right-wrong dialogue? How do we allow more loving-kindness and forgiveness?
What is our individual role in this healing? And as Carrie Newcomer sings, “If not now, tell me when.”
On Nov. 30, I attended church at Trinity UCC on the South Side of Chicago (where I grew up), also known as Obama’s church. I went for the First Sunday of Advent and got a Ferguson service. There was some raw emotion, yet the minister, Rev. Otis Moss III, in his sermon and in other parts of the service, repeatedly brought the message back to empowerment, to pride, to letting go of being a victim by accepting self-responsibility.
He stressed practical skills, honoring the body as a holy vessel of God, supporting education, and knowing and feeling honored by the beauty of their African history on these shores.
The reading was Proverbs 31: 8-9, “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.”
Rev. Moss’ sermon beautifully and powerfully held up the history, power, pride and importance of blacks in the U.S. since 1619, who helped build this country and make it strong, albeit with their slave labor. He stressed that when each of those in attendance knows this honored history, and tells their story with pride, there is power and a way to feel a vital part of this culture.
Trinity UCC also created a training program for every parent and child (grammar school through college) to learn how to act if stopped by a policeman and how to treat a law enforcement officer. They were being trained how to function within the system, and how to improve it. All were strongly encouraged to attend this training right after the service. They got a chance to learn and practice what to say, what not to say, what to do with their hands. They were given a card with these basic strategies. They were supplied with an 800 number to get a competent lawyer, and minors were coached to say, “I need to talk to my Momma.”
It felt hopeful and empowering. There was a focus on both justice-seeking and justice-making. I loved learning more about the history of blacks in America and how it was held up with great pride. As a science and spirituality teacher at DePaul, I loved the repeated support for education and higher education.
One of the congregants hugged me, blessed me and thanked me for being there.
If not now, tell me: When?
Gina Orlando is an Oak Park resident.