Jesse Washington Memorial

"We acknowledge that we are still too often silent and complicit to unspeakable acts of violence in our world. Especially violence that exists in the structures of our society. 

God help us to find our voice and use it to tear down injustice and build new structures that are good and righteous.

We confess that we try and justify the continuing racism around us by saying that "it's not as bad as it used to be," and "things are so much better now."

Please forgive us for not seeing the injustice, prejudice, and racism that we engage in and that is around us. Christ help us reconcile with our brothers and sisters and to love as you love.

We confess the sin of participating in the mob mentality and actions or succumbing to apathy. 

God give us courage and wisdom to stand against hate, overcome fear, and be driven by radical love."

We read this litany, written by different members of Hope Fellowship, during church on Sunday, the 100th anniversary (for lack of a better word) of the brutal lynching of JesseWashington in Waco. You can read more about it here. After attempting to get an official apology 10 years ago and failing, this year they finally got it! A memorial service was held, during which the mayor issued an official apology to the family, some of whom came all the way from Alaska to be there.

I have to say that the part of the service that stuck out to me the most was when anyone who had a relative that was lynched in Waco was asked to stand. It struck me because it wasn't just the family of Jesse Washington that stood up. It was awful, but it made the history of racism in America more real than anything else I've experienced. The people standing around me had been directly affected by racism in a very violent way. It was heartbreaking.

That being said, it was really amazing to see the community of Waco unified behind the hope for a better future, and it is awesome to be a part of a church that sees the importance of being an active part of that community.

Here's the Litany of Transformation that we said toward the end of the memorial service:

"We are Waco, and we want to be a city of peace.

We want to be a city of kindness, generosity, and goodwill.

We want to be a model of racial reconciliation.

We are Waco, and we want to be a city of healing.

We are Waco, and we want to be a city of truth-tellers.

We are Waco, and we want genuine equality for all people.

We are Waco, and we choose a better.

We are Waco."