Guest Author, John Casteel

When there was an opportunity to make wicked money, we were there.

When there was a chance at a nice house in a nice neighborhood, we were there.

When we were offered comfort with people just like us, we were there.

When there was a prospect of good education for our kids and others like us, we were there.

When good jobs were made available to us, we were there.

When freedom was offered to others, we weren’t there.

When others needed resources we had hoarded, we weren’t there.

When those we had enslaved needed a home, we weren’t there.

When we had the opportunity to be neighbors, we weren’t there.

When churches were bombed, we weren’t there.

When marches were needed, we weren’t there.

When people were lynched, we weren’t there.

When crosses were burned we weren’t there.

Now. We’re often not there.

But,

Now, in my best moments… I want to be