'One knee down' creates another crisis
by: Bhupinder ‘Bo’ Singh
So, here we go again. As if over 101,000 deaths from Covid-19 are not astounding and mind numbing. We have to add one more “knee down” death to reignite the national divide of Black and White. Instead of the nation sobering from the devastation of Covid, with “knee down” we have reopened the wounds of Black pain. It is really painful that we are still treating lives differently based on the color of skin. Even the cries of “I can’t breathe” cannot be heard by uniformed personnel trained “to protect and to serve” over the chest of the victim. It is truly the viral capability of video clip that has laid bare the anger and frustration of segment of society being treated this way. The tragedy of this death has become a “trigger moment” for pent up anger and frustration aimed at the law enforcement department.
Those who consider themselves as being the elite, privileged, because of the color of the skin and perpetuate discrimination will do well to answer the question posed by Kabir to the so called elites of his times in Banaras in these words:
“Jau too(n) braahaman brahamanee jaiaa.
Tau aan baaT kaahe nahee aaiaa. 2.
Tum kat braahaman ham kat soodh.
Hum kat lohoo tum kat dhoodh. 3.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 324)
Translation: If you are indeed a Brahmin (elite), born of a Brahmin mother, then why didn't you come by some other way? How is it that you are a Brahmin, and I am of a low social status? Does milk flow through your veins and blood in mine?
This is a reality check to dispel the perception of superiority. After all, we all human beings, and have blood flowing through their veins along with similar functioning organs and body. The intrinsic design of everybody is same, and color of skin or differences in facial features should not create a tiered totem pole. When organ transplants are performed the race, color or status is not the criteria for the donors or the recipients. Guru Ji has put his stamp on oneness of mankind in these words:
“Sabhai ghaT raam bolai raamaa bolai.
Raam binaa ko bolai re. 1. Rahaau.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 988)
Translation: Within all hearts, the God speaks, the God speaks. Who else speaks, other than the God? 1. Pause.
Well Guru Ji is saying it is God only speaking in everyone. It is time for us to ask Dr. Martin Luther King to come back to make us realize that. Why is that after the civil rights movement of sixties we find ourselves in this predicament today? We need you again, as there is an unfinished business. We need you to give voice to your famous words:
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.”
It is tragic that after over 50 years of that historical movement, the situation today is still of despair, frustration, pain and anger. The frenzy that has gripped the nation is saying it loud and clear that it is time for soul searching again. The laws of the nation were changed by your movement but now we need to change the hearts. It is time to remember that we are all children of one God so that we see more of what is common than what is different. Guru Ji has reinforced this subject in these words:
“Sabh meh jot jot hai soi.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 13)
Translation: Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.
Because we are all from Your Light, You are our Father:
“Ek pitaa ekas ke ham baarik too meraa gur haiee.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 611)
Translation: The One God is our father; we are the children of the One God. You are our Master (Guru).
Today in Houston, where you grew up George, we are mourning for you, Minneapolis is mourning for you and so are the whole country and the world. We are all mourning so that we can make the world a better place to live – free from hate and discrimination. It is only to provide that healing touch we are asking Dr. King to comeback and lead us again to his “dream”.
