Is History repeating itself
I started following the situation in Arizona out of curiousity more than anything else. I'm sure I'm like most lawyers and couldn't imagine a court bailiff going through my file while my back was turned. I'm pretty sure that where I practice the bailiff would be fired immediately. Not so in Arizona with sheriff Joe Arpaio. Not only did he not fire him, he threatened the judge, and started a criminal investigation. The situation has deteriorated quickly, and appears that it is now a battle between the sheriff and the courts and the lawyers - from where I sit it looks like the sheriff has the upper hand.
It probably took me longer than most, but my curiosity has progressed to concerned. Thanks to Rick Horowitz I started thinking about how serious this could become. The problem is that sheriff Joe is enormously popular. His popularity is the result him seizing on people's fears - in this case its fear of immigrants and fear of crime. He has people convinced he is protecting him; I understand he is thinking about running for Governor, and would probably be the favorite.
It's natural for people to be afraid - everyone is afraid of the unknown, and those who are different from them. We all view people like Hitler in hindsight (and no I'm not comparing sheriff Joe to Hitler - at least yet), with knowledge of the evil he did. We forget how he got to the position of power - he seized on people's fears. He was enormously popular in Germany, and successfully convinced everyone that it was them against everyone else - e.g. jews, catholics, people of color, etc.. The world was aware of him for a long time before he finally forced their hand, and made them react. I'm sure the prevailing view was that's something that doesn't effect me; after all, it's clear across the ocean.
In the United States we have seen the influence of the Klan. Seizing on fear of those who are different they convinced the majority that blacks were different, and could be treated differently. The treatment didn't extend to discrimination, but violence.
What can we learn from history? I think it's that we cannot turn a blind eye simply because evil is not right before us. I have always been amazed about how entertwined the Klan and religion were. For the most part they believed they were acting in accordance with God's will, and the bible was part of their beliefs. I'm sure there were many who attended the lynching on Saturday night, and sat in the pews on Sunday morning - maybe as deacons and preachers. The same thing happened with Germany; most denomimations, including the Catholic Church, have acknowledged they could have done far more than they did.
My question now is where are people of conscience - and the church - in Arizona? My guess is they are voting overwhelming for sheriff Joe. They have let their own fears overshadow their beliefs in convictions. They either don't see - or refuse to recognize - the incongruity. The rest of the United States doesn't get a pass either.
Those who profess to believe too often ignore the passage from Matthew where Jesus says we will be judged by how we treat the least among us. (I doubt Christianity has a monopoly on this - I just don't know enough to quote other beliefs). The least among us includes immigrants, and criminal defendants (yes they are people). If you really want to distill that teaching, just assume it applies to anyone who is different.
I often wonder what I would done if I had been alive when Jesus walked the earth. He was clearly a rebel - he was on the outside attacking authority. And those in authority were so convinced they were right they rejected him. I worry that I would have been right there with the Pharisees.
I also wonder whether I would recognize Jesus if he appeared today. I'm sure he wouldn't fit our perceptions of him; he would probably be homeless, and dirty. In short, he wouldn't look like us. I'm pretty sure if Jesus shows up in Arizona he's going to be arrested and living in a tent.
Some of the lawyers in Arizona have had enough, are calling for a rally tomorrow. They know the repercussions; some have already been called in for questioning and threatened with obstruction. Most recently sheriff Joe has threatened to investigate the State bar. Despite that, some brave lawyers are going to stand up and be counted for what is right. I wish I could be there - I will be there in spirit. Let's hope thier example turns the spotlight on what happens - before its too late.
