This Black Face

When you look at the face of a black man what do you see? Do you see the man, or do you see the black face? Do you see the history and life of a human being or do you see a black face? Take George Floyd for instance. He was a black man, who was killed because they could not see the man, but only the black face. The fact of the matter is that there should not be a distinction between the two. A black man has a black face, the two can never be separated. The question is, when will you start seeing the man in the black face? This is the simple question that we who share the same shade as George Floyd are asking. When will you recognize that this black face is a man? The issue does not stop there for me. This black face is not just the face of a man named George. This black face is the face of American. This is the face of the dream that Martin Luther King and millions of others fought and died to see. This face is my father, my brother, my cousin, and my friend. This is the face of the Hispanic woman who is being bullied in a grocery store because of where she came from. This is the face of the Asian American who is being harassed because of the origin of his name. This is the face of a black man who must teach his sons how to act, so as not to be killed by the ones who made a vow to protect them. This is the face of a people who are seeking justice, equality, and peace.

What will it take for the system to change for this black face? How many times do we have to protest, and fill our social media with our cries for help? I reckon we will have to keep up the fight until the good Lord comes back. In all honesty, the fight is not to change the mind of the person who hates that black face. We cannot change the mindset of people, even though that would be nice. I would love for you to see that black face and instead of feeling fear, you feel love. Wouldn’t that be nice? But I know all too well that a heart can only be changed in the hands of a loving God. However, not many people’s hearts are there. The best I can do is show you the light in the eyes of this black face, the rest is on you. But the problem still stands that ignorance and racism are embedded in the hearts and of men. We are not ignorant of that. However, we yearn for a system that had a punishment in place for those who act on that hatred. We yearn for this black face to be protected along with the many other faces represented in our country.

Why is this change necessary, you might ask? Well, I am looking at the future and the fact of the matter is that my son will have that black face. He will be that hooded figure jogging through your neighborhood. He will be that black face that will purchase items at your grocery store. He will be that Harvard graduate sitting in the park looking at God’s creation. As a future mother, I am asking that you leave him be; see my son’s black face as God sees it. God died for it. So, let that black face live. Because his life matters.

And for those who want to stand up and fight for that black face. For those, who want to make our America better for that black face. Remember this, darkness cannot drive out darkness, and hate can not drive out hate. Stick up for what you believe in. Fight for justice because that is what is right. However, do not become the face of the people you are fighting against. What good does that do? Do not pick up and reflect the principles of the one you are fighting to resist. Though it is hard not to kill those who kill you. The true strength lies in the one who fights with wisdom and not ignorance. Speak up and fight an effective fight. Trust me, there are strategies that will move mountains. Look for them and use them. Remember to have hope and believe that things will change. There is no use in asking for a change you do not believe in. When you ask for something expect to get it. Fight with an expectation, and do not fight on their level. Their level is what brought us here in the first place, remember that.

Lastly and most importantly. Pray! We are not fighting against flesh and blood. The enemy is at work in our country and our world. He is whispering in the minds of people and evil actions follow. If we want real change, prayer must be the foundation of our fight. If we want the hearts of man to move and soften, those hearts must be in the hands of God.

My prayers and heart go out to the family members of George Floyd and the countless other Black faces that have been the recipients of hate. I pray that your deaths will not be in vain, but will be the ignition the world needed, to protect This Black Face.

"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow's cause" Isaiah 1:17

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God for God is love" - 1John 4:7-8

- Moriah Scott