The Substance of Things Hoped For

Dr. Yohuru Williams from the Univ. of St. Thomas joined us last night for a St. Anthony Session on Justice talk titled, “American History and Racial Justice.” A noted scholar of civil rights, an education activist and frequent national commentator, he is the Founding Director of the New Racial Justice Initiative at St. Thomas.

This was another great example of convergence, as we are covering truth-telling and historical harms/traumas in my Eastern Mennonite University Restorative Justice class this week. Dr. Williams has a powerful presentation style. I thought the way he illustrated his points with political cartoons was particularly effective, accessible connections, the message with a twist.

Minnesota has the worst education outcomes for Blacks in the nation. This state lags behind Mississippi. Dr. Williams appropriately paused to let that sink in. Exceptionalism is strong these days, but perhaps nowhere as much as here in Lake Wobegon country. “Stay Woke” has great significance in our nation right now, but perhaps nowhere as much as it does in Minnesota. “I had no idea” is no longer an option.

Take action. A tangible next step, an answer to the “what can I as an individual do?” question. The greatest among us is she or he who serves. When Dr. Williams talked about his board service at the YMCA and practical ways people can be helpful, it was a terrific, hands-on example of how we can respond and shine on light on the present challenge in a way that is transformative.

Restorative Justice can lead to transformation justice, it is time indeed for people of faith to respond.