Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa. On 21 March 1960, tens of thousands of Africans gathered across South Africa to peacefully protest the pass laws that stifled movement. Thousands of blacks left their pass books at home and gathered at the local jail to demand arrest. Shots were fired. In two minutes 69 people were shot dead. Most of them from the back, running away. Most of them were women and children. Some of them were bystanders. All were innocent. Read more about it in Time Magazine's 7 April 1960 article.
It was a turning point of sorts for South Africa. After Sharpeville, black political parties were banned and those organizing resistance (including Nelson Mandela) were jailed or banned themselves. Political parties went underground and formed armed wings that shifted resistance towards violence. Beyers Naude, an Afrikaaner pastor who, for 20 years theologically justified Apartheid, could no longer support his church. he became a witness and advocate for peace in South Africa. The documentary "Cry of Reason" gives an account of his conversion that began some years before but which was sealed when he realized that the victims were shot "mostly from the back, from the side." His chilling re-telling of the events continues to be a thin and much grieved place for me. At another point in the documentary, Naude welcomes Archbishop Desmond Tutu into his home. Tutu had come to pray with Naude when he was banned or cut off from the outside world. Great affection and respect between those two incredible men. Delightful.
God bless + the memory of the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre and all those whose names will never be known by history. May we be people of peace and justice. Where fear binds us, loosen us and release us to our neighbors. Help us to love and pray for our enemies. Grant that such violence does not come by our hands. May we stand up for justice and witness to peace. Lord in your mercy...
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