
I was just going to ignore it.
Usually, on social media platforms (or this blog), I prefer to stay away from current happenings and leave discussing those issues to in-person conversations. Little ever comes from online debates anyway. While I don’t expect a debate (I won’t be commenting on this post), I think the state of our nation is too heated over an issue I care too much about to continue my policy of silence.
I don’t condone rioting, but I believe it’s about time these peaceful protests are heard. If they aren’t, we shouldn’t be surprised to see more violence. These people, my brothers and sisters who apparently weren’t fortunate enough to be born with a “superior” skin tone, have been free of slavery for a century and a half, and up until recently I thought they should be content with that.
I used to scoff at Kaepernick. I thought kneeling during the pledge was protesting the very liberty he was advocating. When other famous people used their platform to speak out about racial injustices, I wondered why they didn’t use that opportunity to talk about things that were actual issues, like starving children across the world, or the growing sex trade in the US.
How could I have been so wrong? Recent events have brought to light an underlying racial tension that has existed since the very founding of our country. This isn’t a new issue, and it certainly wasn’t solved in the time of Martin Luther King Jr. No, our nation still wrestles with a saddeningly large group of people who can look at a fellow American and see something other than an equal simply because of the color of their skin.
This has to change. I don’t like the rioting any more than anyone else, but we can’t ignore the peaceful protests because of the actions of a few. Maybe, just maybe, this current conflict will be the catalyst for a new time, one of brotherhood and love instead of mistrust and hate.
To be clear, I don’t think all cops are bad. My family is friends with many. I respect their efforts to maintain peace and support equality. They are human just like you and I are. Even if the system is corrupt, good people can still shine within it. The reports of many policemen joining the peaceful protesters in their lament of those lost and their mission to be heard is beautiful to my ears. I won’t let the actions of a few bad apples on either side spoil my view of their purpose.
This unrest won’t be calmed runless we can get over our arrogance and pride and love each other as Christ did. Without regard for past sins, without regard for skin color. Come on people, these are our brothers! These are our sisters! We’re assuming too much from the color of our skin before taking the time to get to know each other. Not every black person is a thug and not every white person is a racist. To those of us who aren’t black, let’s help our brothers and sisters gain the same respect and equality we enjoy and end this senseless oppression. They just want to be treated fairly. Is that so unreasonable that we must take two centuries to work out an answer?
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” – John 13:34
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” – Mark 12:31