Yale Black Seminarians 

YALE BLACK DIVINITY STUDENTS RESPOND TO ZIMMERMAN VERDICT WITH THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE AND A CALL TO ACTION FOR YALE DIVINITY ADMINISTRATION AND NATIONAL CLERGY

There are times that compel this nation to pause and reflect on the implications of a single event. The assassinations of political leaders in the 1960s, the Rodney King verdict, the events on September 11, 2001, and the Sandy Hook Tragedy last December, all serve as such instances of significance. On July 13, 2013, the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the death of unarmed Trayvon Martin was yet another moment where this country has been called to stop and reflect on the sad reality that Black and Brown people encounter and live every day. 

While some may debate the appropriateness of the verdict, we should accept that a clear message was sent to communities all across the country. Black Americans were painfully reminded of the precarious nature of their safety. Young black boys and men, including the ones who will matriculate through this Divinity School and schools across the country, will inevitably move throughout life with more hesitancy and even fear as they confront the challenges of being Black in America.

As Black seminarians, we focus not solely on the social, political and legal implications of this tragedy, but also on the theological underpinnings and ramifications. This case makes clear that racism and discrimination are systemic and institutional evils that are deeply embedded in the American social fabric. As a prophetic voice, we must speak to these and other injustices and call upon all people of faith to address these challenges with boldness, courage and honesty. Let our faith unite us in common spirit to collectively organize and fight against injustice wherever we find it. Contrary to what some may say or think, our faith in God does not call us to inaction, but demands that we take action!

The Yale Black Seminarians call on the administration of Yale Divinity School, Yale University, and all clergy to officially and publicly acknowledge the injustice of Trayvon’s death by joining advocates around the country on August 24th, 2013 for the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, and join in the campaign to repeal all “Stand Your Ground” laws around the country by contacting appropriate state legislators. We encourage us all to shoulder the burden of proof for all young Black and Brown men we interact with. For those seen and unseen, dead and alive, at Yale or at home, we must prove to them, their families, and in some cases, to ourselves, that their lives have value. They are worth fighting for. They are worthy of life simply because they are God’s perfect creation! Let this moment serve as a constant reminder that the burden falls on us, people of faith, to show the world that our young people have inherent, God-given value. 

We leave you with these words from the great activist Ella Baker, “Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother's son—we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.” As people of faith this must be our stance. As young Black seminarians, we will not rest until this comes to pass.

Peace and Blessings,
Derick D. Dailey and Brooke Girley
Yale Black Seminarians Co-Presidents