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Dear Members of the Seminary Community,
Many across the nation have taken to the streets to protest the systemic injustice experienced by African Americans. The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor were the precipitating cause of these protests, but the protests are about the long history of violence against African Americans, especially by the police. At a protest in Princeton a week ago, my wife and I held up a poster that said, “Not one more.” But on Friday night Rayshard Brooks was shot to death by a white police officer in Atlanta. So, once again, one more life was lost. And unless we see a serious overhaul in the nation’s approach to policing, there will continue to be another one, and another one.
The prophets of the Old Testament repeatedly called their people to do justice. That’s different than talking about justice, having a critical social theory of justice, or even protesting for justice. At some point the question becomes what are you going to do about justice?
This is not to say that words are unimportant. Words are a powerful tool for good or evil. As a theological school part of our mission is to ensure that our actions are grounded in the holy words of scripture and a theological tradition that call for a more just way of life together under God. But as a small part of the Body of Christ we then must strive to do justice.
This summer we are putting together plans that we believe will lead to more doing of justice. Among them are the following:
As the summer unfolds you will hear more about these and other specific ways for how we will continue to do justice. Race is not a new conversation for us, but neither is it a conversation that can ever be completed. I am grateful to ABS, the faculty, students, trustees, and administrators and staff who have invested much time and energy in helping the Seminary take strides toward becoming a more just witness to the beloved community of Jesus Christ.
Faithfully,
M. Craig BarnesPresident, Princeton Theological Seminary