The Question Isn’t What Kind of Nation; It’s What Kind of People? by Robert Socha

Robert Kennedy gave a magnificent speech on the night of Reverend King’s assassination. He said, “In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, its perhaps well to ask what kind of nation we are and what direction we want to move in.”

He continued to say that we could respond with violence, anger, hatred, or we could try to understand.

My formative years were the late 1980’s, southern California, having graduated from High School in 1989. There was a core group of friends who affectionately called ourselves: BYC (the Back Yard Crew). We were from many different backgrounds, diverse heritages, but we enjoyed each other’s company, we had fun (sometimes at the other’s expense). Akers, Beaudoin, Bess, Bouch, Brown, Carey, Clark, Cook, ElFatel, Fitzgerald, Gaspard, Gibbons, Johnson, Malpica, Martinez, Montez, Moyer, Mozella, Palfey, Penrice, Riley, Rivas, Socha, Sullivan, Taylor. I’m sure I missed some, but I believe the point is clear. You can guess at the background of a few of the names, but most of them are ambiguous in their heritage without photographic evidence. We were friends, period. As of late, some of us have vitriolically opposing political viewpoints, but I hope if push-comes-to-shove, we would be there for each other.

We were the product of the non-violent movement for equality and unity the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified. We were a product of the forced integration of schools. We were the product of The Declaration of Independence’s first cause impelling separation: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Something terrible has happened in the 30 years since we walked into adulthood. Something has caused the rift to grow again where there is once again an us and them mentality. This rift is built more on ideological lines rather than ethnic ones and is causing a massive hemorrhage to our circulatory system: e pluribus unim.

It is apparent to me that one side of the issue is trying to understand, while the other is fueling animosity, encouraging rebellion, demanding the need to understand. There is no room for discussion, disagreement, debate, but only obedience to specific viewpoints. Even partial agreement is unacceptable until you physically kneel displaying acquiescence. To think there is a lawless zone within the borders of our great nation is incomprehensible. It teeters on the brink of anarchy while a neutered local government speaks mindlessly, defending its inept response.

I adamantly reject the idea that I participate in systemic racism, possibly without realizing it because of the color of my skin. Convicting me of such egregious actions without evidence is committing that very thing. Humanity is one race! Different tongues, different tribes, different nations, one race.

I adamantly reject the idea where silence is violence. I will not allow this type of manipulation to cow my submission. I will raise my voice in defense of things that are Biblical, virtuous, and true, as I have for decades. I will stand with my countrymen and humanity to defend Biblical principles and the sanctity of human life. I choose to pursue truth, liberty, and justice for all.

I adamantly reject the Black Lives Matter movement. It purports “blackness,” but the founding principles of the United States, where all men are created equal, appear as an afterthought. Its purposes have retreated from the progress made during the civil rights movement encouraging ideas in opposition to American traditions of faith and family. Embracing ideologies focusing on the color of a man’s skin, instead of their character, breeds division, enmity, and violence. I am frustrated beyond measure as I watch the fabric of the United States torn asunder. I see numerous well-meaning friends having jumped on these so-called social justice bandwagons without understanding their underlying objective, which is anathema to Biblical teaching. The lives of people matter. They all do: red, yellow, black, brown, olive, white, notably lives lost in inexplicable violence.

Whenever I fill out a form that requests we check which race we are, I have, most of the time, checked the box marked, “caucasian.” No longer do I desire to be identified on forms this way and will from here forth decline to answer those questions. Why? Because I am a human being. The color of my skin should have no bearing on my applications or forms and should have no bearing on my business, especially where the government is concerned.

So, where do we find an amicable solution that overcomes every discrimination, every difference, every hostility, every hatred?

We find it in the idea that all men are created equal. We discover it by recognizing the problem is not in the laws and processes we’ve enacted but rests within the deceptive hearts of men who act on prejudice. We obtain it in the embrace of the teaching of Christ that whosoever will come is saved.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

Choose the law of the Spirit of life! In this law, there is a liberty to love unconditionally, forgive unequivocally, and have peace and joy beyond understanding. We can become a People who are concerned with one another’s character. With this in mind, I make one exception in kneeling; I choose to kneel before the Cross, before the Lord our God and Maker.