As we wrap up another week following the impactful Anti-Racism Community training. Betty Brandt, the director of the Community for Contemplation & Justice at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church shares a reflection with us from earlier this summer. It is a reminder that as we seek out ways to engage in social justice change, when an opportunity presents itself to be an “accidental activist”, seek to be open to that which God puts before you. 

When I woke up on Sunday June 7th about 5:30am, I knew it was the perfect morning for a walk. By 6am I was out the door. I live in the 8400 block of North Pennsylvania Street - tree lined, quiet except for the lovely sound of the birds singing. At the end of my driveway, I turned south and was instantly aware that all was not quiet and peaceful. No birds could be heard over the racket at 82nd and Pennsylvania. I could see that the intersection was blocked by cars. I was so curious!

By the time I reached 82nd and Pennsylvania, I knew I had stumbled into some kind of rally or protest. Remember this was just 2 weeks after George Floyd’s murder (May 25th). Cars were lined up for blocks - horns honking, drums beating, tambourines flashing, “BLM” painted on the street, signs everywhere, people in their cars, people out of their cars, bullhorns blazing, “Wake Up!” Homeowners were starting to come out of their houses in their nightclothes. They were joining in and waving to the protesters. The message was clear, “No justice, no sleep!”

I walked with the protestors, lending my voice to theirs. There was an exhilaration in the air. Most of the leaders were Black but most of the people in the cars and those marching were white. Change seemed possible when all these people were willing to get up long before dawn on a Sunday morning to assert that they had had enough of the status quo.

This kind of energy is hard to sustain. Changing systemic racism is a lifelong journey. Sometimes I don’t know what to do next. It is so easy to go back to my usual routine – the safety and security of my quiet, tree lined neighborhood. It is at times like this that I remember that there is no road map all laid out in front of me or you. If there were such a map, we would have already used it to get where we are going.

My job is to remain awake and aware and to take advantage of all the opportunities that cross my path – people to talk with, letters to write, rallies to attend. You can stay awake too. Surprise yourself – become an Accidental Activist!

If you want to add your name to the Racial Justice, Social Action and/or Community for Contemplation & Justice e-newsletters at St. Luke’s Indy, just let me know, brandtb@stlukesumc.com

It is at times like this that I remember that there is no road map all laid out in front of me or you. If there were such a map, we would have already used it to get where we are going. - Betty Brandt

---