Monday's 'Black Lives Matter' march in Manchester gathered 3-4000 who came together in solidarity with similar protests in the US. While mostly members of our African-Caribbean community, it was good to see a number of people of other colours - including white - in the crowd as each injustice diminishes all of us. The event was good-humoured and celebratory, while at the same time expressing passion, anger and frustration. A member of the MJR Manchester group spoke at the rally before the march and said: "We collectively need to come together, black and white united and say 'this is not OK'". We also noted from the speeches at that rally and also at the end of the march outside Manchester's Town Hall the references to slavery and its legacy of continued oppression, and repeated emphasis on the need for education. What was clear to me was the hunger for justice and truth: exactly what MJR was set up for. We need to tap into this hunger and serve by helping to provide that teaching, but in a way that channels these strong feelings in a positive direction. No small task, and it will be vital that the churches and their leaders play a prominent and encouraging part. When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem he began with the problem identified by the people – the need for security and identity – their agenda, before later bringing them back to the Law of Moses. Do the churches need to do the same?
Paul Keeble
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