HUMANS THINKING RATIONALLY SIMPLY WITHDRAW THEIR ATTENTION FROM THINGS WHICH DON’T ADD VALUE. THEY CHOOSE NOT TO REMAIN IN A CHILDLIKE STATE WHERE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE IS OUTSOURCED.

“Wait,” said Chebet, startling everyone in the church hall. “Are you saying forgiveness is some kind of moral detergent? Asserting that victims of all injustices in the world just need to forgive and forget and everything will be fine?”

WELL…

began the priest, clearly caught off-guard by a smart-mouthed brat. The piano player was not playing music in the background anymore. The murmurs began from the back. Silent approbations of Chebet’s words. The priest acted fast. He chuckled at the young lady and continued.

IF WE DO LESS OF WHAT ANGERS US ABOUT THE WORLD, OUR LIVES BECOME MORE POSITIVE. IF YOU DECIDE TO BE HAPPY YOUR BRAIN WILL FIND THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT.

“Decide? Was it our decision to be unhappy in the first place?” Interjected the brat. “Being a member of this church I have learned a lot. Most important of them all turned out to be not-so-obvious. It is to fear the company of a victim who has normalized and accepted their inferiority in the human court of justice.”

Pin drop silence.

YOUNG LADY…

He was starting to get agitated. The young lady continued.

“Where I come from when you’re wrong, you take responsibility for your actions. We do not make excuses for the bad guy and ask the victim to take the high road.

JUSTICE AND MERCY BELONG TO GOD CHILD.

“We do not ask for God’s justice when it is man who has aggrieved us. We cannot rightfully speak about justice if those who benefited to their fill from the oppression of others aren’t asked to relinquish their ill-gotten wealth just as the victims are asked to relinquish their anger and pain.

Our oppressors continue destroying, stealing and plundering but we are supposed to ‘find things to be happy about’. The victims are asked to forgive and forget before their truth is known. Before their offenders are held accountable. Before the harm done is fixed. How is that rational let alone fair?

In the West it’s a race issue. Here, our oppressors are our brothers, friends, husbands and neighbors, teachers, priests and politicians, the most beloved and respected. How do we heal from our wounds while still living in the same dens as our predators? Our hope used to be in the Constitution. The law, supposedly blind and swift, with a long arm. But where is that law and constitution right now?

Is it not used to guarantee more power to the oppressor. It is used to protect the interests of the deep state while the rights of victims are left to forgiveness and positive thought. Instead of uprooting the weeds, you want us to water them with kind words or affirmation. I am tired. I will not stand here anymore and pretend things are okay when they clearly aren’t.”

The Priest silently stood before the expectant congregation. Chebet resumed her position on the pew next to her mother, who was calm but clearly embarrassed by her daughter’s outburst in the house of God.

Mama Chebet whispered something in her daughter’s ear and Chebet left the building. All eyes were looking at her as she made her way outside.

She had walked about 20 meters away from the church when the piano music resumed. The priest said something Chebet couldn’t comprehend from the distance and the congregation laughed out loud in unison before their voices switched to sing Amazing Grace. Chebet looked up to the sky and laughed. She was too much like her father.