2020 / CLEARER VISION

Marcia Baker

The year of 2022, a safe haven? In comparison to the two short years prior to, it possibly is. 2020, had its revelations and peaks and valleys with the whole world watching; held hostage to possibilities never seen before. Amid all the turmoil and uncertainty, I sought a higher power for clarity. In response to the human condition, the word of God was coming forth from each and every conceivable and sometimes inconceivable, communicative venue. Just as the insistency of the Holy Spirit makes its way through the body of Christ, with acceptance, the same insistency was coming from wickedness in high places, waging its war alongside the blood-stained banners, with acceptance. 

Masks, social distancing, focused hand washing, our sisters and brothers of all ethnicities, dropping like flies, minute by minute. Loss of life with no explanation. COVID-19 the catalyst, a virus roaming the earth to and fro seeking whom it may devour. Many scenarios played themselves out. Not only was our health at risk, but our national security was further unraveled. The muddier the world stage became, the clearer I saw. 

On the heels of a global shut down, as we stumbled into a new norm of abnormality, we were charged to maintain normality in chaos. In some instances, a total way of life was shattered with no real hint of the next steps or if there were any. With mixed emotions, working and schooling from home, health and safety preoccupations, financial confines coupled with the development of hopes and dreams; we were faced with such a rude awakening. Racial tension, ready to spew over all mankind to diminish all humanity. 

The afore-mentioned culminations, bear direct connection to mankind and the human condition.  No matter how disheveled leadership became, or deceitful law enforcement was portrayed. No matter if taken out of our churches or put in harm’s way of the noisome pestilence, I saw beyond the circumstance. It was as if God himself was saying, Peace be still. So, we sat still while young black lives didn’t appear to matter. We sat in astonishment while callus hearts and minds wreaked havoc within and against democracy. Our country had turned on itself, using the election process and distorted ramblings in place of the basic premise of right and wrong, to conduct wickedness in high places. 

The stage was set, the curtains were drawn, there we were, up-front-center-stage, provoked to proclaim, “BLACK LIVES MATTER”, what a concept. Watching incident after incident of identical nature, young black men and women’s lives taken without thought of remorse or consequence. Law enforcement was given the jail free card, with each encounter becoming less necessary and more and more disrespectful. As a people and finally as a nation we had to stand up and shout, “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” 

It became abundantly clear that the hateful nature finally had a leader. Demonstrative gatherings and representations of prejudice and white supremacy, finally a voice to the ugliness this country had longed for and operated in. In previous decades this ugliness wore a mask that was confused with decency. The plight of Black lives continued to suffer with little to no consideration for the origin of their citizenship nor the necessity of their survival.  Visibly, the lack of consideration to “equality for all” clearly did not include the black population. Elected officials and governing systems, constantly stacked against the progress of Black people and their causes. Racial insults and bias intentions were usually discussed behind closed doors but finally the masks where removed and I could see clearly what was happening and why. 

Time and a season, 20/20 in 2020 caused a rippled effect. Blatant disregard for process, policy and procedures were at an all-time high, suggesting validity to the ignorant. Allowing the ignorant to believe they had a right to a prospective. Ignorance had run rampant and law enforcement was not enforcing the law for Black men. We had lost so many to those who were to serve and protect as they continued to reject and harm, without consequences. My heart became heavier and heavier as I could hear the Latin reference to natural law, “An unjust law is no law at all”. Scriptural reference to Isaiah 10th Chapter, regarding the unjust law, Homework. God is in control and Jesus sitteth a t his right hand. Just as I thought we had seen the worst of all handlings, that the saddest moments of 2020 had been realized and that, “this too shall pass.” Then it happened, Bro. George Floyd, May 25, 2020.

Do you understand why we must shout “BLACK LIVES MATTER?” Since 2013 we had been emphasizing the devastation thrusted on to the Black community. Each victim taken out by fear and inadequacies without a moment’s notice. Mothers and Fathers, family and friends, left to put the pieces of their lives back together with a huge whole in the middle of it. On May 25th yet another first, but it added to clearer vision. This time desolation came with clear intent. That wickedness in high places relished in its nine minutes of fame, an appointed time for clearer vision. A deliberate, unyielding knee to the throat of George Floyd, after unwarranted treatment during a routine call for law enforcement, gave evidence to the truth. This victim had time to rightfully plead for his life, with much more than a moment to turn it around. While stressing to his assailant he couldn’t breathe, his pleas were met with further force and less concern. The very breathe of life that was given to George Floyd before the foundations of the earth was now being taken. 

I then realized that he was chosen. Before the foundation of the earth, God knew that this son would cast this truth on to the human condition.  For clearer vision 20/20, into the depths of hatred and its demise to mankind, we saw prophecy played out as the word teaches of plagues and pandemics, wars and rumors of wars and of wickedness in high places. In 20/20, before the foundation of the earth God knew that the year “2020” would weed out the good from the bad. That age old bias and racial practices would be called out and would only be condoned by those who accepted them. We must continue to shout out “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” We must speak up against injustice and the misuse of life’s privilege for all men. Living in America is a privilege that all its citizens are to utilize. In Heinz sight -- God said so.   

 Acts 10:34 “He is no respecter of person” (King James)