A More Excellent Way

Remembering George Floyd,

Today we remember an all too familiar pain, but we keep moving forward. We fight to create a better nation than our mothers and fathers, their mothers and fathers before them, and their mothers and fathers before them. We turn our fears, sadness, and anger into action — action begets change — change begets hope — hope begets more action. We leapt into action after George Floyd’s death — protests, voting registration campaigns, calling legislators, and demanding change. And although those actions may have stemmed from the anger of witnessing what happens when institutional racism goes unchecked, it is also a symbol of hope; because to fight against injustice inherently means that there is hope that our world can be made more just. So, every step that a protestor took to proclaim that we mattered was a step we got closer to the Promised Land. Every uncomfortable conversation two friends of different races had to better understand each other was a step closer. Every story told, song sung, prayer prayed, vote cast was another step still. Every day, we follow in the steps of our mothers and fathers toward the Promised Land.

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

Christopher Rochester
Director of the Global Music Initiative