May God, the Liberator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all, give strength to all who fight against injustice, unharden the hearts of racists, bigots, and angry people, and ignite a love and compassion so strong that it drives out all hate and bitterness. May it be so for the memory of the enslaved who were freed in death; may it be so for the descendants of the formerly enslaved; may it be so for the descendants of the slavers; may it be so for a more just and generous future where every person of every shade and hue can live together in peace, civility, and harmony.May it be so.Asé and Amen.

-Rev. Dr. Lawrence T. Richardson,

East Lansing, MI