‘The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’ report makes for harrowing reading. How I wish that it simply described the past, as bad as that is, and is not in some way a prophesy of the present. I quickly add that not all police officers are violent murderous bullies. There are many fine police officers, just as there are many faithful Christians that make up their number. However, there is something wrong within mainstream Australia and America. Something deeply wrong with our institutions; including those set up for our wellbeing. It is systemic racism.

Most people I know would not accept that they are racist, and many take deep offence if you suggest that they might be. Systemic racism operates at the deepest levels of our society. Systemic racism, or institutional racism, by another name, refers to how ‘white superiority’ functions as the norm. It is the lens by which we see all things. It shapes the political system, police force, the educational system, legal system, employment practices, and, yes, even our church. It shapes both you and me. All our social contexts are dominated by the, often unspoken and unrecognized, premise that being ‘white’, with all its associations, is inherently normative. This is why ‘Black Lives Matter’!

The 432 First Nations people who have died since the ‘The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’ report was released, like George Floyd, have names, families, and stories of their past.

People of colour are just not seen as being on the same level of those who are not. The basic institutions of our society were established to serve and protect the dominant ‘white’ culture. ‘Black Lives Matter’ because we need to focus our thoughts and actions on those who suffer the most. People will be quick to say ‘but all lives matter’; and, of course they do. However, it is far too easy to gloss over the particular when we focus on the general. This is why we also focus on violence against women, but we all know violence against anyone is wrong; we focus on the protection of the children, but we all know that all people need protection from any form of abuse. Focusing on the particular helps us to address the universal. Jesus said ‘… just as you did it to one of the least these who are members of my family you did it to me’ (Matt 25: 40).

The 432 First Nations people who have died since the ‘The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’ report was released, like George Floyd, have names, families, and stories of their past. They had hopes and dreams, and problems and issues. Many were arrested for relatively minor crimes. They were human beings with feelings, thoughts and blood running through their veins. They had possibilities for change. They are not just numbers. They were like you and me. They were God’s children.

‘The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’ report made 339 recommendations of which only a few have been enacted, and, clearly, given the continued deaths in custody, have not addressed the core issues. What should we Christians do? For my part, Jesus provides the model. Jesus showed solidarity with the poor, the outcast, the marginalized, and rejected (Luke 4: 18 – 21). Surely, in our context, that is the First Nations peoples, and other people of colour. As Christians we should be some of the strongest advocates for justice for First Nations peoples, and work tirelessly and prayerfully to see the end of the senseless deaths in custody. Write to your state and federal parliamentary member and ask them what they are doing about it. I am! We also need to ask the hard questions of ourselves. As a church when it comes to systemic racism we also have some ‘logs to take out of our own eyes’ (Matt 7: 5). We have significant changes to make in our own church. As people of the light we can begin to walk in the light, and drive out the darkness (John 1: 4).

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that’ – Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

+Chris 

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, The Most Reverend Geoff Smith endorses and supports these comments from Bishop Chris McLeod, National Aboriginal Bishop, and encourages the Church and the community to continue to work towards recognition and reconciliation and a just society for all. 

Eternity posted another key message – from Glenn Davies, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney on social media this week. We reproduce it below: 

As we pray for the situation in the United States we must also continue to pray for our own country because the underlying racial tensions and inequalities are just as serious.

Most Australians have watched with horror the video of a policeman crushing the airways of George Floyd as he died on the streets of Minneapolis. The anger pouring forth on the street of every major city of the USA is evidence of deep-seated racial tension and inequity in that country. While the street violence and looting of shops is to be deplored, the needless death of George Floyd is an outrage and an injustice that needs to be addressed. I echo the call of the Primate of the Anglican Church of North America, Archbishop Foley Beach for Christians to come together for reconciliation and peace across North America. May God have mercy on the United States, that the authorities will heed the outcry for justice, not only for George Floyd but for all African Americans who suffer oppression and inequality.

As we pray for the situation in the United States we must also continue to pray for our own country because the underlying racial tensions and inequalities are just as serious. Tragically the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate is more than 17 times th national average and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people account for almost 30% of those in prison. There have been more than 400 Indigenous deaths in custody in the past 30 years. We have our own shameful history of police and prison brutality against Indigenous people which sadly re-emerged this past week, marring National Reconciliation Week. I recognise that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are feeling overwhelmed and saddened longing for true justice to be done . I share your sadness and concern for justice and on behalf of Anglicans across NSW I extend my sympathy to you.

As Christians we know that all people are made in the image of God, and deeply loved by him. In the gospel, race has no bearing – we are one in Christ. Racism and violence are grievous evils, which Christians must speak out against. I urge us all to pray for, and make every effort to further, a deep and lasting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-­indigenous Australians. Archbishop Glenn Davies