The Lynched Logic

Proverbs 12:10:

“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.”

Today’s Episode: The Lynch-ed Logic

A flag goes up. Somebody cheers. Somebody else wonders whether they and their children are safe anymore.

It’s the same flag. But are you the one planting it, or the one being told to leave?

Today is Columbus Day, and for many Indigenous people, that celebration carries the weight of conquest and loss. How do you celebrate somebody “discovering” a place where your people already live?

I mean, if you “discover” my house, please knock. OK?

Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States asks us to hear voices often left out. I own the book. Haven’t finished it cause it’s a hard read. Not the words. The wounds. It’s worth checking out.

We know how history gets written: That tyrant that conquered… it’s “His” Story. But here’s the question; Have I heard “their story”...the story of the people from their account, or only from the people who got to tell it for them?

And with a last name like Lynch, I’ve had plenty of reconciling about this type of stuff. That’s a much bigger story. But I know a name can carry something very different depending on who hears it.

Proverbs 12:10 starts with how we treat an animal. Even a creature that can’t explain its suffering deserves care. Then, in the New International Version it says:

“But the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

Dang. You can run a whole advertisement campaign and tell everyone what you did was “kindness” while the person getting hurt never gets to tell her side of the story.

The verse starts with animals. I’m carrying that question into our hero stories: What did our supposed goodness do to the people on the receiving end?

We can call control protection. Humiliation discipline. Even helping an unhoused person deserves a question: Did my help actually help?

That’s where wisdom interrupts the celebration.

Wait. Is this a victory from heaven’s point of view?

Indigenous people are still here, telling their stories. Shout out to my dude Red Cloud. He’s a real one. Now let’s bring this closer to home, when somebody says we hurt them, can we hear them out before explaining away what they said?

Love can hear that. Love can take responsibility and begin repairing what happened.

Today’s video: Vox — Why the US celebrates Columbus Day (about six minutes)

🔥 REMEMBER

Before you celebrate your goodness, listen to the people who had to live with it.

🙏🏽 PRAYER

God, help us hear overlooked voices and practice compassionate repair.

🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Watch the short Columbus Day video linked in today’s notes. Write down one thing you didn’t know, and share it with somebody.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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