Now Playing: Films to consider during a difficult time

"And until we can see each other as equals, justice is never going to be even-handed. It will remain nothing more than a reflection of our own prejudices." --Jake Brigance, "A Time to Kill"

This has been a tense and difficult week for our country. Protests have now taken place in all 50 states, many met with force, some leading to acts of looting and violence. But it's fair to say this has been a long time in coming, and if you don't recognize that there has been pain and suffering around the inequity of justice in America for years, you haven't been paying attention.

I have had the privilege to teach a class at our church looking at themes of faith and worldview in film. Two years ago, in the Fall of 2018, my co-teacher and I sought to end our course with three weeks looking at the theme of race and justice. I knew it would be difficult and a challenge, but something that would be worth asking people to think about and speak about in our predominantly white, conservative congregation.

I had been moved to think about this after reading "Just Mercy," the book written by Bryan Stevenson. Stevenson is a lawyer who works to combat injustice in the South, and his book tells the story of cases he's worked on. I had been given the book for Christmas a few years prior and I remember reading it the first time and being moved by the pain and injustice in the stories. It reminded me of films I'd see that left me with the same feeling.

For our class we looked at a couple famous ones set in roughly the same space telling similar stories decades apart. We began with the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" and moved to "A Time to Kill" before considering the stories in Stevenson's book, which at the time was in production to become a movie. It was, indeed, a powerful three weeks that opened a dialogue. But in the time since, we've not seen that happen on a national scale. And that's what this week has been about.

A common refrain we've heard this week is "No justice, no peace." And that's what this comes down to, a fight for justice. A fight against the injustice that so many have faced, and continue to face. And, again, this isn't new, even when it comes to film portrayals. I remember being in college when I first saw "Do The Right Thing," a film my favorite critic Roger Ebert put on his list of "Great Movies." It made me think about issues in a way I hadn't living in a small coastal town in California. And, of course, "A Time to Kill" is my favorite film of all time, and though I watch it yearly I never cease to be moved by the ideas contained in the film, based on the book from John Grisham, a southern lawyer who turned writer.

But these issues have been common themes in modern films, too. The same Fall that I taught my class in 2018, I had a chance to see a new film, "The Hate U Give," which was also based on a novel. It touches on these issues in a modern setting (the novel was released in 2017), and it was a haunting and powerful story to see. It's one of many stories that have been highlighted in recent days as something to see to get a glimpse into another perspective on issues of justice, or the seemingly lackthereof, for some in our country.

And, of course, the film version of Stevenson's book, "Just Mercy," was released at the end of 2019. I had a chance to see it in the theater, and it was a moving and powerful piece, featuring a beautiful performance from Michael B. Jordan, no stranger to these stories after delivering a powerful lead performance in another haunting film, "Fruitvale Station." Even better, Warner Brothers has made "Just Mercy" available to stream free for everyone this month in response to what's happening in our country. I urge you to check it out and, better yet, read a copy of his book. 

As Christians, we have a duty to stand up for those who are suffering and oppressed. Romans 12:9-13 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” The title of that section is Love in Action. That’s what we’re to do, put the Love of God into our actions. And if we each find ways to do that in the spheres where God has placed us, I have to imagine the world would be a better place.

I, like many, will never know the fear and anxiety the some feel due to inequality, but my heart breaks for them in their struggle. I was moved by the statement made by Carson Wentz, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and a Christian, who said, "I’ve spent a large part of my life surrounded by people of similar color, so I’m never gonna act like I know what the black community goes through or even has gone through already. I’ll never know the feeling of having to worry about my kids going outside because of their skin color. However, I do know that we are all equal at the foot of the cross and Jesus Taught us to value others’ lives like they were our own — regardless of skin tone."

We may not all have the same experiences, but we all share the same burden of standing up for justice. Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This is a watershed moment for our country, and I hope we are all praying for real, tangible change, and doing our part to support the cause of justice for all.