Joy Life Center Pastor Bobby Lewis isn’t sure there has been much progress in race relations.

“I don’t know if we’ve moved the needle that much,” Lewis told Southland Marquee.

He discussed the harsh reality of ongoing and systematic racism as Southland Marquee continues to examine reports that Chicago city enforcement and fines related to ticketing (red light, parking, speeding and other issues) are unbalanced in that it has continued to target certain communities more than others. 

This subject previously was highlighted by investigative reports in 2018 but has begun to resurface.

The aggressive ticketing and associated fines are of particular concern when the city suspends the business licenses of people unable to pay the fines. One local pastor Southland Marquee previously spoke with called this a “regressive” policy that has negatively impacted communities of color.

“This is a regressive city policy that targets Black and Brown communities, keeping them in a cycle of generational debt,” Rev. Tyrone McGowan told Southland Marquee. “It primarily affects low-income Black households. Eight out of the 10 ZIP codes with the most ticket debt are Black ZIP codes. So many people who are already struggling financially, sink even further into debt as a result of this policy. Many go into bankruptcy, which is not an ideal solution, over something as simple as an unpaid ticket.”

Lewis, a professional musician and son of legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis, concurs with that assessment.

“I do agree. People of color, and also immigrants, have always been the target of oppressive laws,” he said. “This is nothing new to Chicago, the Midwest, the United States or the world for that matter. 

"Ticketing and fines are weapons," he added. "Laws can be used as tools or weapons. Ultimately it is the lawmakers who choose a tool and work with a community or a weapon and point it at a community and pull the trigger.”

Lewis said it’s important to realize there always are problems and challenges to face and overcome.

“Whenever you have a community, you will have issues,” he said. “We all work together to make this place that we call home better. There’s one statement that resonates with me when it comes to ministry and that is you cannot separate the sacred and the secular. When you start doing that, that’s when you really can get lost.”

Both are part of human existence and cannot be separated, he said.

“The lesson is allowing that which is sacred to guide this human experience, this physical experience that we have,” Lewis said. “Which one are you going to choose to guide you?”

He said his ministry, Joy Life Center, has held only a few services since its founding last year so racial discrimination has not been addressed in any detail. But it’s a topic he has given a lot of thought to over the years. It’s bigger than traffic issues, Lewis said, and overcoming it is a long-term project.

“Just because you have a Black mayor, a Black president and Black congressman doesn't make things better," Lewis said. "But I think I highlighted or at least the idea of change comes from having power, and that power comes from voting and voting the right people into office that represent the communities. 

“The president doesn't have all the power," he added. "And real power is within the Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, where you have enough minorities, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, people of color, that then can bring their experience of being people of color in America to the table and then have people vote on those issues."

Experience is key, the pastor noted.

“We have to learn from our experiences,” he said. “If you know better, you have to do that. And what God gives us is wisdom from our experiences to do better. Part of us making a difference is to know your voice, let your voice be heard, stand in a community of change or be a community of change. Regardless of how long that it takes. A good fight, the good fight, is always worth fighting for.”

Lewis worked three years for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has been active in spiritual, social and political issues for more than half a century. He first met Jackson when he grew up in the same neighborhood with the famous orator and activist. He and his siblings were friends with Jackson’s children, and they played basketball together and got to know each other. Ramsey Lewis and Jackson knew each other “very well,” Lewis said.

Bobby Lewis said during his long career, his father kept his personal and political views mostly private. It “just wasn’t his thing,” he said.

“But if you asked him, he'd tell you," Lewis said.  "And we had many conversations over the past few years and especially, in the era of Trump and George Floyd and all. “One day, it was after George Floyd, and he looked at me, ‘Bobby, this the same crap as when I was growing up. I thought it had changed. I thought it was different. But I'm realizing there is still the hatred, there is still the prejudice, just as much as when I was growing up.’”

The pastor said one reason he started Joy Life Center was he decided it was time to stand up and make his voice heard.

Lewis admits he may consider a run for office at some point.

“You never know,” he said. “I’ve stopped saying no, not me. Because as soon as you say, ‘No, not me,’ that's when God puts you in a position to do it.”