There are two main responses to Garner and Brown’s deaths and subsequent decisions not to charge their killers that I find rather concerning. The first is those who have said that if Brown and Garner had simply done as the officer asked, they would be alive. Whether it is your intention or not, you are also implying that Brown and Garner deserved to die. Selling cigarettes, stealing cigarillos, resisting arrest, and even assaulting a police officer are not crimes that carry the death penalty. This points to a problem in our laws where simply being afraid is justification for murder. This argument is not the same as saying these, or all police officers, are bad people. This is not being disrespectful towards police officers. This is a matter of looking at our laws and actions to see if they are truly just and written in a way to protect all parties. There is a conversation to be had as well about how people respond to police officers but right now, while the black community is angry, sad, afraid, and frustrated, is not the time. Black brothers are dying. This is not ok. My last statement brings me to the next response that I find concerning. That is the response that race has nothing to do with what it going on. Your implication here is that systemic racism does not exist. I am saddened and angered to say that there have been times that I have been walking late at night and had a brief moment of fear or concern spark through my body as I passed a group of young black men. The same feeling did not course through my body as I saw a group of young white men pass by me. I do not consider myself to be racist. I do not think that black skin is to be equated with fear or violence yet I have been conditioned by a system that tells me black skin is to be feared. I believe this was the same sentiment that was in the minds of police officers. This does not mean they are inherently bad or racist people but rather our society has built up a false narrative that more pigmentation should mean more fear. I want to end by saying, specifically to my white brothers and sisters, right now is not the time to try and rationalize what is going on. It is especially appropriate for Christians during this time of advent to listen to the voices crying out in the wilderness. Listen to the anger, frustration, fear, sadness, and confusion. When necessary, even listen to the silence. Reach out to brothers and sisters of color for no other reason than to listen. Do not force them to speak if they do not want to and do not try to defend yourself or others. Seek to validate emotions or at the very least do not dismiss them. The actions of our nation and justice system are saying that black lives do not matter. We must change the narrative to say #blacklivesmatter. Maybe later it will be appropriate to say #alllivesmatter but we must first stick to the task at hand.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:34:55 +0000