I went to the Trayvon Martin rally and march in downtown Los Angeles yesterday. Its been a while since I last participated in a march, and I missed the energy that is connected to a community of people taking a stand in the name of justice.
When I returned home, I couldn't shake the high that I was feeling; and I didn't want to. This was something more to me than just being upset about the situation (which is by far an understatement). This was different from simply posting an article on Facebook, or a note on Twitter in response to that anger. No, this was different.
This was different because I actually got up and did something.
Now, this is not to say that the use of technology isn't important to spreading the word about a cause. Quite the contrary. Technology has played a major part in not only making information assessable, but in being able to connect people from all over the world, unifying them under a single issue. Technology and social media both play a major part in showing the truth of what is happening in the face of biased media networks and other hidden agendas. Thus I do not wish to present an argument that is against social media; what I wish to do is to express is the importance of coming together for something like a march, and the lasting statement that our presence makes.
Even though it is true that I make a statement by what I put on my Facebook page, or on my Twitter account, or even on this blog; the fact of the matter is that those statements can only go so far. There is that slight sense of being disconnected that somehow prevents me from being fully committed to a status or tweet. Now, as a writer, this is saying a lot: to admit that there is some feelings of disconnection in association to my writing. But please note that I do not mean it in that I am not truthful or do not stand behind my words. I am simply saying that I experienced a deeper conviction and commitment as I walked with others from the community on behalf of Trayvon. And I believe that conviction is deeply theological.
I have yet to read a variety of books on theology, but I am confident that the form of bodily presence that I speak of when I speak of marching has theological implications. I say this for two reasons: 1. the statement that our bodily presence makes when we come together to march, and 2. the way that our non-violence resistance rejects not only the form of oppression, but its methods.
1. There is just something about being present. Whether it is a requirement for school, or marriage, or a friendship, or a job; our presence is important. Thus when I say that our bodily presence makes a statement, I am saying that it speaks in ways that our words cannot. Think about the marches and sit-in's of the Civil Rights movement. Their presence in those diners or walking down those streets sent a message that words could not touch. You may be able to disregard my letters (no matter how eloquent they are) but you cannot ignore my body; sitting in your diner or walking down your streets. You may try to ignore my words, but you will not ignore me.
This is also evident in the bible. Let us reflect on John 1, "In the beginning was the Word...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The Word (Jesus) became flesh. This is not speaking against the weight of God's Word, but there is something significant about the taking on of a bodily presence to make a statement. God did not simply speak, He came. Even if we managed to ignore His words, we couldn't not ignore Him.
2. The use of non violent resistance is extremely important in the stance against injustice. The use of non violent resistance has deeper implications than I thought before this particular march. The fact that this march was so peaceful really resonated with me (not that I expected anything else, nevertheless, it is always nice). Despite the fact of others opinions of an "eye for an eye" response, marching has a way of taking a stance against more than just the action. Marching for Trayvon isn't only about taking a stance against the fact that he was killed. Its taking a stance against the way he was killed. Marching (using non-violence as an act of resistance) doesn't simply speak against the action but it speaks against violence itself. It says, "we will not react in the way that you have. we will be better."
I am sure there is much more that could be said about this, and I hope to be able to develop this more. I just wanted to get some initial thoughts down in hopes to spark some conversation. My hope is that we grasp a better understanding on what it means to be present. To take the time to do more than send a tweet. We live in an age where our lives can become completely outside of ourselves. We can date online, go to school online, even go to church online (that's a whole different story). Thus, we are in danger of being assessable yet not being present.
I encourage us to reflect on what we mean when we post, or tweet, or blog. Hopefully we will be willing to show up when necessary. Lest our absence begin to speak louder than our words...
