By Rev. Bernadette Hickman Maynard, Bethel AME Lynn and ECCO
After last Wednesday’s mob violence in the Capitol, I was feeling hopeless. I felt surrounded by the forces of White supremacy on all sides - angry rioters, police and government officials that did little to stop them, politicians at every level that continued, even after the siege, to spread lies that encourage insurrection, and media pundits that focus on one man and not the systems of White Supremacy he represents. Then, I prayed and meditated, both at ECCO’s vigil and on my own, and came to see things with new eyes.
After praying, I remembered the Judeo-Christian scripture II Kings, Ch. 6, where the servant of the prophet Elisha comes terrified to Elisha to report that they are surrounded by enemy troops. Elisha tells his servant, “Do not be afraid...Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha then prays for God to open his servant’s eyes, and his servant looks up and finds the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them with God’s protective power.
Reading this story, I remembered that even though we are surrounded by agents of White supremacy, there are even more of us fighting for justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
I remembered that we are already making a difference here in MA and on the North Shore. Just last week, the Governor signed a police reform bill that was stronger because of OUR efforts. Though it was far from perfect, because of our vigil, the governor softened his position and gave the civilian-majority POST Commission veto power over definitions of use of force. He also accepted increased restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology. Despite its limitations, the new law creates real police accountability and protections for Black and Brown people and promotes safety for all. I can see chariots of God’s protective power. There is more in this law that benefits us than there is that benefits them.
In Lynn, we have been building the ranks of those who are with us, and have formed the Lynn Racial Justice Coalition. Thanks to our ongoing efforts with the police, City Council and the Mayor, elected and unelected officials throughout Lynn are seriously exploring how to promote racial justice in policing and other areas of the city. Mayor Thomas McGee has approved the use of city funds to hire consultants to research the establishment of an unarmed crisis response team and draft a proposal for its implementation in Lynn. The City has reached an agreement with the police union that requires officers to wear body cameras, and the Mayor has released funding for their purchase. The City is in the process of hiring a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer that will oversee diversity hiring initiatives and the implementation of the many racial justice efforts we have been fighting for. The ranks of God’s peace and justice are swelling in Lynn and indeed, there are more of us than there are of them!
We have a long road ahead, but I am no longer without hope. To quote the Negro Spiritual we sang at the vigils in front of the homes of Senate President Karen Spilka, Speaker of the House Robert Deleo, and Governor Charlie Baker, “I just can’t give up now. I’ve come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don’t believe God’s brought [us] this far to leave [us]. ”
I am so grateful to walk this path of justice with each of you. I hope you will join me in celebrating these victories and making new ones possible by making a donation to ECCO today.
In solidarity,
Rev. Bernadette Hickman-Maynard
Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Lynn and ECCO Racial Justice Organizer