Father Michael Pfleger:

This is an Emmett Till Moment

“Emmett Till’s mother wanted his casket open at his funeral to put a face on the hatred and racism that killed her son. The video of young Derrion’s brutal death is not only the face of the violence and anger in our children, it is the face of society’s failure to our children.” says Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina.

“In 1955, Emmett Till’s death became the momentum that built the Civil Rights Movement. My hope is that this video will make our current society stop and say, ‘what are we doing?’ and that we will build a movement to save our children. If we are lulled back to sleep, the blood of our slain children is on all of our hands.”

Father Michael Pfleger spoke at young Derrion’s funeral held on Saturday, October 3rd. His remarks reminded mourners of the scripture found in the fourth chapter of Genesis.

…and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And He said, What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand…”

Father Mike said that the blood of all of our slain children is crying out to us from the earth and that Yes - we are our brother’s keeper. He says that the code of silence must end and we must be keepers of each other.

“This video touched a chord in this city and around the world. Either we respond now or we will see the bloodshed get worse and all be responsible.”

While wanting to be careful of the “blame game” and “band-aid fixes”, Pastor Pfleger said that changing the heart and value system of our young people requires every single person to step up. Police, parents, educators, churches, mosques, single people, married people. He says that, “No one is exempt in this crisis.”

Father Mike says that, “This crisis requires a cultural shift.” Video games and songs being marketed directly to Black youth affirms and glorifies violence, drug selling, and the lack of respect for women. “Our young people have to stop listening to trash. These rappers live in gaited communities with White people as their neighbors while we deal with the effects and backlash of their music.”

Father Mike says he does not blame the artists more than he blames anyone else, “We are all accountable. We even have churches that are closed six days a week. No one gets a pass right now. Our children are in a crisis and either you are going to step up or you will be a part of the problem.”

Father Mike loved it when Alderman Carrie Austin of the 34th Ward, who has Fenger High School and a huge number of churches in her ward, issued the following ultimatum to ministers, “If you are not doing something to help our community, get out of my ward.”

Father Mike would like to see what organizations Federal and City grants are funding and those organizations evaluated. “If they are not producing results, their grants should be cancelled.”

In addition, Pfleger wants listening sessions at all Chicago Public Schools where children can freely express their thoughts and ideas. He would like to see adults take those ideas and turn them into solutions. Metropolis

Click Here to Add Your Comment