"Don't get into trouble." How many heard this phrase innumerable times as children? I cannot speak for the dominant culture, but for African-Americans the words meant, "As you leave my sight, I bless you with this reminder because I love you dearly and want no harm to come to you in this world where people will judge you by the color of your skin." The words were spoken by elders who had witnessed countless unjust and unexplained atrocities against people for simply being Black. They recognized a timeless pattern predating their birth and continuing until the present moment. Through their traumatic lived experience they knew well the lived experience of Jesus as a powerless person in an unjust and corrupt system. Like him, they too had witnessed innocent members of their family or community being crucified or lynched for affirming their humanity, embracing the marginalized, and questioning the status quo. The elders understood what Billie Holiday meant when s...