News
The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians published a statement entitled “Mama, Mama…I Can’t Breathe!” that expresses heartbreak over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a policeman.
“Floyd pleaded for his life to no avail until he finally succumbed to death,” reads the statement. “The community has been pleading, ‘Black Lives Matter.’ ”
The deep wound of racism is not only found in the USA but is a worldwide structure of oppression, the statement continues. "Since the days of colonialism when racism served as the instrument of white supremacy, it has remained inbuilt in global economics, politics and knowledge systems,” reads the text. "We are called to remain eternally attentive to his appeal to Mother: ‘Mama! Mama... I can’t breathe!’ ”
Mothers everywhere are called to embark on a journey for justice against murder, racism and all other forms of discrimination, urges the statement. “We remain called to the duty to protect the sanctity of all lives by exposing, opposing structures of discrimination and searching for a space of nurturing all life,” reads the text. “Until we have truly delivered dignity and freedom to every oppressed member of the Earth community, let us remain haunted by George Floyd’s call, ‘Mama! Mama.... I can’t breathe!’ ”
Statement by the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians on Black Lives Matter movement
