#racialunity

👀👀👀 Loving how the new Rev Tees are coming out! Available 2.8 #mvmntcollab #racialunity #revolution #mvmnt #broadeningthenarrative #bethebridge #seekjustice #racialhealing #lovemercy #honorthestory #endracism #starttheredemption #loveyourneighbor #restorativejustice #walkhumbly #beavoice #wearetherevolution #MLK https://www.instagram.com/p/B8KwIEkn3t9/?igshid=wqvi3oy431kx

Something’s cooking in the kitchen... 2.8.20 #revtee #mvmntcollab #racialunity #revolution #mvmnt #broadeningthenarrative #bethebridge #seekjustice #racialhealing #lovemercy #honorthestory #endracism #starttheredemption #loveyourneighbor #restorativejustice #walkhumbly #beavoice #wearetherevolution https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-MBPSnQ1w/?igshid=12o1tfuzpx0yy

This year marked the 400 year anniversary since the first documented African slave was brought to the US. There so much to say about a history like this at a moment like this when the evidence of the trauma is still so boldly glaring at us in the face.
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I wrote a piece called A 400 Year Old Hope Song. I believe there is a song my ancestors never got to sing, but the rhythm of their resiliency is in my blood and has become the underscore of my sound today. It is a lullaby for healing, it is a battle cry for justice, it is a hope song for unity.
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Fred Sprinkles of @thewindvaneproject approached me and asked to create a short film of my work. I felt this was the piece to broadcast, for this is what we need most…the story and the hope. What he has made of this is beyond what I ever dreamed. His level of skill and care and emphasis blew me away. I invite each of you to watch this and to breathe it in. 2020 will be a year of hope tangible, of dreams unimaginable, of breakthrough and glow ups.
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I believe in redemption for my country. I want to see it in my lifetime. Check out Hope Song - link in bio. 
#racialjustice #racialhealing #racialunity #hope #redemption #repentance #tinashalarayepoetry 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LolzlH2SR/?igshid=v56gkkkvnr9j

I am up late, unable to sleep…something that has become common these past couple of weeks. But this time, my heart won’t let me sleep because it keeps playing this story of forgiveness over and over again in my entire being. 
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Botham Jean was gunned down in his home last year by an off duty cop who claimed to mistake his home for hers. It sparked another national uproar of police brutality against unarmed black men. It became another pain point as another name was added to the list of hashtags.
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Botham’s brother shared these words at her sentencing hearing after she was convicted of murder…leaning into the gospel for the power of forgiveness and extending the same grace for eternal life to her through Christ.
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To continue the miracle of mercy, Judge Kemp left with tears and returned with a Bible. She handed it to Amber Guyger and encouraged her to read it. She said, “Ma’am, it’s not because I am good. It’s because I believe in Christ. None of us are worthy…Forgive yourself.”
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I am overwhelmed. The power of forgiveness and radical nonviolence of mind, spirit, and body always makes way for radical reconciliation. Reconciliation - not in terms of their relationship, as they didn’t have one to be restored, but reconciliation of mankind that exists because of such brokenness. It feels so unnatural to extend mercy of this magnitude…but this unnatural act sets the stage for a supernatural miracle of wholeness that transcends vengeance. This is the power of redemption. My soul took in a deep drink when I witnessed loving forgiveness during the Charleston tragedy and I am feeling a similar weight with this one. 
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What strength of spirit. What fullness of heart. What open soul to the voice of the Father that he would embody love so tangibly. This wasn’t just a kind act. This was a force in motion. One our generation had the honor of witnessing and now have the invitation of fanning the flame - the flame of forgiveness, embrace, and redemption. May we all find the force within us to transcend the darkest evil by becoming the light. #bothamjean #forgiveness #racialunity #racialjustice #racialhealing 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3JogiOHCRh/?igshid=1wrujai08iayu

Saturday, we came together as a Redding community to commemorate the 55th year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act as well to bring awareness to the 400 year anniversary since slavery first started in this country through speeches, encouragements, and empowering statements to keep going, keep building, keep using our voices for change. So many marginalized people groups were represented but with all one heart beat: human flourishing. I felt so honored to be asked to bring creativity to this event. I’m grateful for @jordanblack for singing, @shayna.acosta for choreographing an amazing piece to Maya Angelou’s words, and BSSM students and local citizens for their lively recitation of a favorite Langston Hughes poem. I also got to bring a little spoken word poetry through a piece entitled, “400 Year Old Hope Song.” Hope is the force we need to forge ahead and blaze new trails that lead us into each other’s arms. So humbled to be in this season of life now, in this beloved city, watching God unfold a beautiful plan for His beloved children. An excerpt: 
The trauma is lifting with every hum
With every note
With every phrase
And we are well on our way
Might even get to that ole Promised Land today
If we all learned the lyrics
And did the same choreography
This is the song my ancestors never got to sing A song of liberty
And healing
And equality
And unity
And family Right here
In the land of the free
And the home of the brave slave
This song will be their legacy
Redemption never sounded so sweet #racialunity #hopesong #tinashalarayepoetry #thisisredding
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Bl9M8HZKf/?igshid=4nvkct5eptii

I may start sharing some of my ongoing process of how I’m wrestling with the subject and issue of race in the US. Today’s thoughts: Re: Pain SURFACE: I don’t think we understand pain...not in the level that pain has been dished out to the African American community for centuries. We are not wired to understand that kind of pain. Is that why we can’t wrap our minds around the state of the majority of Black communities today? We often talk about the violence, the fatherlessness, the poverty...but rarely do I hear us talk about the pain that has a name: trauma. QUESTIONING: what if that was a key? What if fixing every broken system wasn’t the only work needing to be done? For when the system is fixed, what about the broken soul? The skeptical mind? The confused spirit? The anxious heart? VULNERABLE: I sometimes feel people don’t care about the pain my community shows symptoms of having. Even from white people I’m close with, and even some black people...they tire too easily in conversations, say they are sick of hearing about slavery, blame the state of black America on black America as if we chose the path that leads to destruction for ourselves. And if I were to say that in a conversation, then I’d be accused of having a “victim mentality.” The truth is, I do not want to operate out of powerlessness, but I believe we should acknowledge victimization...for how can victims heal if they are in denial of ever being wounded as a victim? We are in need of a healing. A gaping wound that has bled out our identity, our stability, our sense of worth. Some have found their way out of the rut...but we as a people have not entered into this Promised Land. We are powerful Wounded and limping Towards our victory. On our journey Towards justice, Let us not forget Our healing. For this too Is our portion This too Is our process This too Is our promise. We are not one Until we are whole. #raceinAmerica #racialunity #racialhealing #racialjustice #tinashalarayepoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/B26A0p9n5TF/?igshid=e2c9zyjykuy

喬治是世上最年輕的死刑犯，但是他不是死在自己的罪行下，而是死於種族歧視。 種族歧視已經抹殺了不只一條人命，它於這世上斷送了許許多多的生命。波第非常幸運能夠生活在一個多元種族的國家，但是波第傷心的是這份種族情深已經漸漸的淡薄了。 閱讀更多於 Black Power https://www.facebook.com/1018233248232408/posts/2034530896602633/ #種族和諧 #種族歧視 #種族課題 George Stinney Jr. - the youngest prisoner sentenced to death, not for his wrong doing, but racism. Racism has killed not only one, but many throughout the world. Birdie is glad for being part of the multinational nation, but Birdie is sad as the said unity depreciate. Read more at Black Power https://www.facebook.com/1018233248232408/posts/2034530896602633/ #racialunity #racialdiscrimination #racialissue https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvdc7UpFm9w/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=smrf905xku3p

Alabama Trip part 2 - 
After seeing the lynching memorial in Alabama, we got to visit the King Center in Atlanta before flying out. To continue my sentiments from my previous post…I am pondering on these profound principles.
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These principles of nonviolence became pillars for the nonviolent movement through Dr. King and the SCLC. There were many other movements emerging at that time, and I’ve always wondered why there wasn’t greater traction behind those movements to catapult them into being the leading movement of that time. I feel these principles here reveal a bit of the why…they are wisdoms from something timeless, something everlasting, something eternal. It has me thinking, what are our principles for this season? Do we even know what season we are in? What leg of the race we are running? What are our pillars for justice, healing and unity. The work was not finished with Dr. King. In fact, much of it had just begun by leveling the ground beneath our feet with the Civil Rights Bill. When King passed, he was just digging into the greater work needed. Will we commit to seeing that through? Or will we fade to black and leave this part of the story to be written and staged by the next generation?
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These principles were birthed out of a deep ache for more than just equity…but family. So, let our hearts ache for family…and let our feet and hands do the work to create it and protect it.
#racialunity #legacy #drKing #reconciliation #theAmericanstory #family (at The King Center)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqbBZ0TBYC-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dr5qmc0geh01