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Why I speak out...

Some friends/people have been telling me to chill because I am fine and don't have to worry. I am fine, thank you. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, family and friends who truly care for me (thank you for my late birthday party today).
I have not been unchill because I am worried for myself (honestly, I do have some worries with my fibromyalgia), but I know that over 100,000 people have died because of COVID 19 and their families are not alright. And that unless we act responsibility and with care, we will have another 100,000 dead before the end of the year. It seems consensus is coming around that wearing masks can be a great tool in stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives and families from suffering the loss of a loved one.
I have been unchill because POC (People of Color) are still not seen as equal in the eyes of our justice system and in many areas of our society and our church. We have another death that shouldn't have been this weekend in Atlanta. His name is Rayshard Brooks.
I could just chill and not worry about my neighbors, the elderly, those who skin tones and languages are different than myself, and those I will never meet. But then I would also have to send a letter to my Committee on Ministry and resign my ordination and send a letter to my local church and resign my membership. For in my confirmation, I was asked, "Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ's disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?" I replied, "I promise, with the help of God." In my ordination, I was asked, "Will you seek to regard all people with equal love and concern and undertake to minister impartially to the needs of all?" I replied, "I will, relying on God's grace." I have not done these all the time, whole-heartedly, and without falter, but I have tried and try again and continue to work on this. Jesus tells the disciples in the Gospel of John that people will know that we follow him by how we love, if we love everyone like Jesus loves. So, to me, being a Christian and a minister of the United Church of Christ, means that I am to speak out about things that may not affect me, but may hurt those I love and those whom I will never know.

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