Today there is much talk about injustice. Many people have many things to say, but what does Jesus have to say? When I view the world right now, I am reminded of my childhood experiences.

I had great parents. We were blessed even amid ongoing oppression. I remember, as a child raised in the 50s, I was out with my mom, shopping for school clothes. In some stores, we were not allowed. I had to go to the bathroom, but there was no bathroom for “colored people,” so my mom took me in an alley to squat and urinate.

In school, I was teased and called names because I was Black. I was teased because my clothes were not up to date and fancy. I developed a sense of insecurity and would not speak in school. I had low self-esteem. My mom had to meet with my teachers, who thought I was dumb and needed to be placed in another type of school, as well as accused of someone else doing my homework because it was always correct. The reality is, I loved to read and write. My parents often took me to the library to get books. My mom, teacher and I met, I read aloud. I explained what I read; the teacher was amazed.

In grade six, my teacher shared I had a low IQ, mainly because I was unable to answer questions on the test about Caucasian lifestyles and experiences never experienced by my culture. The critical years of grade school scarred me tremendously. It negatively shaped my personality. I continued to be quiet, fearing to speak. I always asked mom and dad questions, why do people make fun of my skin, why are we treated so bad, why can’t we go certain places, and why can’t we buy the house we all liked and wanted?

From high school to college, my parents instilled in me that I must be strong to survive and overcome the injustices presented to me. They explained what they went through and how they defeated it. They would not let anything keep them from trying again and moving ahead. I learned I had to work ten times harder to succeed beyond mediocrity. Even today, higher interest rates, lower wages, and still areas where Blacks can’t live because of old laws, and the continual murder of Black people to name a few. I don’t talk about it. I have learned to live above it, but yes, it is still happening. We know it, we see it, and we experience it yet, today. So, please don’t tell me it does not exist, by denying it or writing some psychological data explaining it away when you are entirely ignorant of the facts. That is part of the problem. If you name the name of Christ, try looking at it with the spiritual eyes of Christ; because, ultimately, you will face Jesus, who will be the supreme judge of your heart, how you lived, and how you addressed the injustices of others. Did you understand our anger, hurt? Did you try to listen with compassion and an open mind?

By the grace of God, we continue to overcome, and no man and no scheme of man will keep us down. Why, because God is a God of justice. You can find Jesus in the poor and broken. God is a God of diversity. He does not discriminate. He does not live in a boxed, sheltered comfort zone. He placed Himself around the poor, broken, discriminated, sinners. He related with the heart of compassion, mercy, and tender love. Jesus understood the complicated intersection of race and justice.

Jesus, as a human, had the skin of a particular color. But Jesus’ story was filled with diversity, such as the Samaritans, Romans, Egyptians, to name a few. God’s justice was unconcerned about the color of one’s skin, the place of one’s birth, or the square footage of one’s house. The following scriptures support this. Matthew 12:18, Matthew 23:23, and Luke 18:7. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 states, “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. ¹⁹ You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. ²⁰ You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you”.

For Israel, the duty to execute justice was an integral part of God’s laws, founded upon His holiness. He promised security in the land. Israel’s elders and kings were to deliver justice in the social context; they were directed to watch out for the rights of the poor, needy, fatherless, and afflicted. They were to walk in the ways of God’s wisdom. Proverbs 29:2, to ignore wisdom and not know justice is the foolishness that brings devastating judgment.

Justice is the responsibility of all in the body of Christ. Our experience of God’s gracious salvation demands in response that we show justice to others. Justice is part of walking with God. It is more profound because we are to know the rights of the needy and oppressed, heed their cry and be their help. (Job 29:12) God is just, and He executes justice to all, especially the poor and oppressed. We are to be a people characterized by justice and righteousness.

If we would only humble ourselves, surrendered to Jesus, that He may use us today to change a broken world. Are we contributing to the brokenness, or are we making a difference that God is glorified? Giving the world a glimpse of the justice of Jesus can make a difference. Let us practice justice. Let us be sympathetic to the cries of injustice and not be a part of the scream.