As we approach Resurrection Sunday, on April 17, I am especially proud of the Antilynching Act signed by President Joe Biden on March 29, 2022. The law is named after a 14-year-old Black boy from Chicago while visiting family in Mississippi was lynched. Emmett was brutally murdered by a group of white men because he allegedly whistled at a white woman in 1955. This dreadful crime was a pivotal moment that marked the start of the civil rights movement and one of the first social justice movements in our country.
Lynching in the segregated South was a common practice. It was used to terrorize and keep the Black community in its place. Growing up in the South, my family shared this story with us, and we had the Jet Magazine with Emmett’s picture on the cover. Some people asked, “why are we still resurrecting this story?” I will say to them, we must never forget! We must resurrect and reflect on our painful past in order to rejoice and remove any boundaries that may cause a stumbling block for future generations.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Honoring our past is hard, I really wish we didn’t need this law in 2022 to protect our rights. Let’s remember, our Savior was resurrected on the third day; therefore, we can resurrect past experiences so that we can rejoice and remove anything that may continue to have us bond. We must continue to say his name “Emmett Till” so that we can stop adding to this horrible roll call.
Thank you for your love and continued support! I am so thankful for each of you in joining me on this journey to re-imagine contentment in 2022!
Always look for the Remarkable in your life!
Dr. ReShone
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