Sunday Video Inspiration: Throwback to when I went to Ghana and shot a music video for The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. One of the most amazing experiences of my life. With all thats going on in Ferguson right now, I was SO inspired by the words of black NFL player Benjamin Watson who plays for the New orleans Saints on his Facebook post that has gone viral. I was so impressed by his words. Especially what he said right at the end…(Read his words below) At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts: IM ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes. IM FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios. IM FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although Im a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a threat to those who dont know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt. IM EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment. IM SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day. IM SYMPATHETIC, because I wasnt there so I dont know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point. IM CONFUSED, because I dont know why its so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I dont know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace. IM INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take our side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like its us against them. Sometimes Im just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And thats not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? Thats not right. IM HOPELESS, because Ive lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. Im not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails. IM HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And its a beautiful thing. IM ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT IM ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One thats capable of looking past the outward and seeing whats truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. Its the Gospel. So, finally, IM ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope. THIS WAS AMAZING…NOT EVERY POLICEMAN IS BAD, NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS, AND NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACIST. ITS TIME TO GET RID OF OUR LABELS. WE ARE ALL FROM ONE GOD, WE ARE ALL HIS CHILDREN WHOEVER WE ARE….IN CLOSING, I ADD MY TESTIMONY OF CHRISTS HEALING THROUGH MY SMALL PARTICIPATION IN THIS MUSIC VIDEO youtu.be/0VsjSa1X7iA
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 18:06:45 +0000
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