When Injustice Strikes Our Land

I have lost count how many tenses moments there have been this past year alone when it came to oppression, discrimination, violence, discord and hatred. 

And every single time, my heart breaks. 

To anyone who has been marginalized, pushed down, or treated as less than, I want you to know that I am deeply sorry for what you have gone through and though I may not understand it, I am one person who is in your corner. 

I wrote this song last August after a shooting spree in Chicago where over 40 people were shot.  I can’t make sense of the evil in some people in our world today.  

But what I can do is vow to be one who will stand up for someone else - whether they look like me, talk like me, grew up like me or are completely different, people are people.  And people matter to God.  

I very intentionally decided to wait and release this song TODAY because it is a National Holiday, set aside to honor and remember the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Friends, injustice happens all around us all of the time.  But it’s up to us to stand up and say enough is enough.  

Dr. King said in one speech, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

So today, would you join me in choosing to stand up against oppression? 

Be fierce. Take heart. And be off courage. Be about making someone else’s day better. Listen and share this song and allow your heart to be challenge this significant holiday weekend.

WHEN INJUSTICE STRIKES OUR LAND
Mark Alan Schoolmeesters

I won’t stay silent when injustice strikes our land
When war and violence try to rob our innocence 
We know that our world needs freedom 
We know that our world needs peace 
I won’t stay silent when injustice strikes our land

I’l fight for freedom I stand up for the ones oppressed 
Those on the fringes who think they have no fighting chance
We know that our world needs freedom 
We know that our world needs hope
I won’t stay silent when injustice strikes our land

We will be light in the darkness
We will be defender of weak
We will be the voice of love that that’s speaking 
We will be Jesus hands and feet  

I’ll stand to violence I’ll be the force that’s bringing peace
Against destruction let holy hands heal bloody streets 
We know that our world needs freedom 
We know that our world needs hope
We know that our world needs healing 
We know that our world needs love
I won’t stay silent when injustice strikes our land
God you’re not silent when injustice strikes our land