Lecrae: Church Needs to Correct Oppression Not Just Forgive It

Christian rapper Lecrae has responded to the devastating shooting of nine people at Emauel AME Church with a call to correct oppression. In an op-ed published on Billboard.com, Lecrae said the Christian community needs to do more than “simply encourage the oppressed to be calm and act peacefully.” 

Citing Isaiah 1:17, Lecrae said we need to “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression” instead. 

He continued to reference the Confederate flag the remains flying at Charleston’s City Hall as well as the shooting of Michael Brown last year. 

He wrote, "We, as individuals, are of course culpable for our actions, but we cannot overlook the effects of the past."

The musician then pointed the nation to the Gospel which "frees the soul, frees us to live selflessly toward others with genuine compassion."

"There is a great antagonist, and it does not have black or white skin. It is the brokenness of humanity. May a love that miraculously mends our brokenness be the protagonist,” he said. 

Publication date: June 24, 2015