Second Baptist Church LA

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES

​​​Independence is defined by Merriam–Webster as freedom from control or support. This means inherent within the actualization of independence is freedom.  Independence is qualified in the Declaration of Independence by this statement – “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This means freedom to me.  It is this freedom that our brothers and sisters are crying for when they protest.  It is what is meant when you hear the chant “no justice, no peace.”  It is the heartache and pain that befalls us when we hear or have to tell others “Black Lives Matter.” 

Looking at the political landscape with particular attention to the current climate, I am forced to ask the question – Are we independent?  The current prevailing social construct unfortunately reminds us daily we are not, because everyday:

We the people have to fight for our right to life - right to exist and live in peace.
We the people have to fight to live a life that defines liberty, a life that embodies the state of being free within society from oppression on one's life and existence
We the people have to contend against technicalities/man-made intentioned barriers/modern day poll taxes in our pursuit of happiness.

 

To be independent means to be free.  This Independence Day, do your part to trumpet Black Lives Matter and affect the levers of political power which sometimes means exercising your right to vote.  Until we are all living testimonies of what God, our Heavenly Father created us to be, we need to keep pushing because if one of us is not free, none of us are free. 

​ 2412 Griffith Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011   (213) 400-877    deleby@pacbell.net