A Story of Our History: Trauma and Systemic Racism

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Meg Earsley, who celebrates the anniversary of her first vows on Aug. 7, is currently ministering in Bolivia and serving with the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis. Sister Meg is sharing her Bolivian journey of Jesus business, which we all know is sometimes messy, in her photo/reflection blog “Wanderings and Wonderings,” (from which this post is reprinted with her permission). Learn more about Sister Meg — and her former career in the software industry and affinity for cleaning! — at franciscanmedia.org.

This photo is from the convent in San Miguel where I spent some time. I have seen different art like this here in Bolivia, but the imagery in this one struck me more than the others. This type of art serves as a reminder of the history of the place. In here you see Jesus front and center surrounded by indigenous people, priests, workers, poor children and freed slaves. Behind it you can see some of the historical events that happened like the arrival of the Spanish, military oppression and protests. I don’t know the specific historical stories depicted in this painting, but it moves me. It reminds me of the history we are exploring anew in the United States connected to historical trauma and systemic racism (and other “isms”) and I wonder what art is being created back in the States that will tell the story of our history. It will be good to see the images the future brings.