Charlottesville, VA – Unite the Right Rally August 11-12, 2017
Charlottesville, VA Unite the Right Rally August 11-12, 2017
Charlottesville, VA Robert E. Lee Statue Removed July 13, 2021
Four years ago this week, the Unite the Right Rally was held in Charlottesville, VA on August 11-12, 2017. A variety of white supremacist groups came together to protest the planned removal of statues of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The now infamous event included a night time march reminiscent of torch lit marches in Nazi Germany featuring white supremacist and anti-Semitic chants. The following day, groups carrying Nazi and Confederate flags gathered around the Lee statue to prevent its removal. The day ended with a white supremacist intentionally driving his car into a group of counter protestors injuring many and killing Heather Heyer. Two Virginia State Troopers assigned to the rally also lost their lives when their helicopter crashed. After lengthy court cases, the statues were finally removed just a month ago on July 13, 2021. These events in Charlottesville remind us that symbols represent systems. In this case, the statues, torches, and flags represented system of white supremacy and oppression. This system is not limited to the era of slavery and the Confederacy. It also includes the 100 year era of legal segregation during which the statues were erected as well as the ongoing challenge to address the remnants of that system that still prevent full racial equality and justice today. The video posted below summarizes the events in Charlottesville.
For those of us who are followers of Jesus, the cross is the major symbol of our faith. It too represents a system – the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught and embodied this “system” characterized by nonviolent, self-sacrifical, redemptive love. God gives us the Holy Spirit so that we are empowered to oppose systems of oppression and live into God’s way of love and justice for all people. It is good that the symbols of white supremacy are coming down throughout our country. Yet are still called to deeper commitment to embodying the Kingdom of God in our time. As Jesus said long ago, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness (right relationships), and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.