Racial justice calls for peace

Revd Canon Dr. Sharon Prentis, the Church of England’s Deputy Director of the Racial Justice Unit, reflects on the ongoing struggle for racial justice, highlighting the stark contrast between the initial hope sparked by George Floyd’s murder and the persistent manifestations of hate. She emphasizes the importance of pursuing righteousness and justice as the foundation for lasting peace and trust.

There are very few moments when, as a society, our collective consciousness is moved to change the status quo. One such moment was on 25 May 2020 with the murder of George Floyd. What should have been a time of looking forward to early summer days became marred by a heinous act followed by a wake-up call about the brutality of hate that continues to persist in institutions and the human heart. The slogan “no justice, no peace” became a rallying cry reflecting the despair people felt about structural racism and discrimination, which are deeply ingrained in our organisations. A growing desire to see things change emerged, and along with the many debates, an intent to act emerged.

Fast forward to August 2024, and hate was still evident. In towns and cities, there was an eruption of anger and anti-immigrant sentiment, which spilt out onto the streets of Britain. Fear was palpable. The constant stream of anti-immigrant rhetoric had built up to such an extent that it burst, and the waves of suspicion and fear felt like it was going to overwhelm. Many minority ethnic people felt that despite all the efforts and seeming progress that had been made since May 2020, we were back in familiar territory—the tangible presence of hate expressed by those who were also fearful.

‘The effect of righteousness will be peace’

Yet, among all the fear, there was hope. Neighbours came together to clear the streets and fix the damage, and people stood to declare that this was not acceptable. Doing what was right in the face of provocation and distress is something that we became aware of as we heard stories of people who supported each other and went out of their way to show welcome.

This reminded me of the scripture in Isaiah 32:17, which says, ‘the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and trust forever.’ When thinking about what to do in the situation, the verse was a reminder that righteousness is the bedrock of lasting peace and trust—that living right with good intentions towards our neighbours is foundational to peace. We don’t have to agree, but we must do what is right! Pursuing justice is not just a moral obligation but also a missional imperative. Justice speaks to a different reality where the community made up of ‘every tribe and tongue’ witnesses to what it means to live out that reality now.

Valuing the inherent worth of the individual as created in the image of God

The Apostle Paul letters always spoke to unity; Jesus demonstrated being one with the father as his son, which speaks to us about going beyond superficial understanding and developing a deep insight and empathy for the other. Indifference then to the plight of our siblings is an anathema to God. When we find ourselves in that place, racial justice becomes a way of cultivating peaceful relationships because it is based on valuing the inherent worth of the individual and how to act towards them as created in God’s image. Justice becomes more than adherence to rules and regulations; it becomes part of our life together to create compassionate spaces where we can be curious and dream of a different possibility. So, for me, I live in hope because I have seen the possibility and know that, by faith, we can move towards each other as we move towards God.

To achieve the peace that leads to reconciliation is costly

The truth is that the work of justice may not always feel peaceful for those who are trying to achieve it. The goal to create a more equitable society is what keeps the motivation going despite the difficulties. Peace may seem far off as they endure the cost of what it means to fight for justice. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a great advocate for racial justice regarding civil rights, got into trouble trying to achieve fairness in 1960s America. Despite this, his belief that doing what is right and just will ultimately prevail. He wrote, ‘the moral arc of the universe always swings towards justice,’ and for his nonviolent stance and peaceful protest, he was assassinated.

To achieve the peace that leads to reconciliation is costly. Jesus Christ not only taught ‘no greater love than this, and he lays down his life for a friend’ but was an example for humanity by his sacrifice. So, what does this entail? Well, until we are prepared to confront and dismantle the injustice of racism and discrimination of all kinds, the peace that we crave will be elusive, and the huge chasm between people remains. The golden rule of treating others as we would like to be treated can only be achieved when our practices of exclusion and the structures that support them are transformed by God’s righteousness, mercy, and justice. Peace then is the inevitable outcome, and we are all blessed by it.

The Revd Canon Dr Sharon Prentis is the Deputy Director of the Racial Justice Unit at the Church of England. She has over 20 years of experience in church mission, community development, and education. Her primary interest lies in how the Church can serve local communities and contribute to social justice by being intercultural witnesses to Christ’s love.