In the Face of Fear

Black Lives Matter activists, including the Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, Amanda Weatherspoon, and Chris Crass, lead an unauthorized rally and die-in that blocked an intersection near the UUA General Assembly convention center June 28. (© Christopher L. Walton)

Any time,
Friday evening, Sunday morning, Monday afternoon

Any place,
Paris
Beirut
Baghdad
West Bank
Chad
Cameroon
Lebanon
Syria
Somalia
Sinai
Charleston

Any number,
132
19
2
43
1
228
10

Fear invites new participants to its dance of death
But every time,
In every place,
Numbers beyond counting rise up and say,
NO to fear
NO to hate
NO to death
and
YES to hope
YES to love
YES to life.

May we, now or anytime, here or anywhere, alone or with any number of others, focus on affirming what we love, what we cherish, what inspires us no matter what; putting fear on notice that our hearts, minds, and spirits will not accept its invitation. For that is what faith is: focusing on what one affirms in the face of fear.