Like so many others, I am dismayed and heartsick over the events that have taken place around our nation these past few days. I could readily add my strong opinion to those of millions of Americans of all races about the disgusting, brutal actions that resulted in the death of George Floyd, but these sad facts need more than opinions. Our response must be to take action.
Do the actions of the police towards George Floyd merit outrage and protest? Of course they do. And in too many instances lately, this kind of abuse and hateful brutality is minimized and obscured by the fog of diversion and excuse-making. This kind of evil should not be tolerated for one second by any of us, and its perpetrators should never doubt that they will face the full weight of justice.
Sadly, the tragic death of Mr. Floyd has been co-opted by those whose hatred is just as despicable and intolerable as that of his murderers. The violence we’ve seen on the streets of our cities is without excuse and adds only more grief and heartache to our souls. But I said we need action, so let’s protest by all means, and let’s voice our condemnation towards the killers of George Floyd, but we can’t stop there. There is nothing that justifies the lootings and the killings and the beatings that have been visited upon people of every race during this last week. There is also nothing that justifies our staying silent, or our failure to join together in a unified endeavor to bring about the changes we must make in this nation. I’d like to suggest some concrete actions we can all take today. You may prefer a different approach and that’s fine, but whichever path we choose, it’s time for us all to get moving.
Action One is to examine our own character, our own fears, flaws and prejudices. Do we harbor within ourselves any of the vile wickedness that is racism? Hatred can of course take many forms and be manifested among us in ways that are sadly all too familiar. But is that within us, and if so, what will we do to root it out of our hearts? I only know of one sure way to change a human heart, but indulge me for a moment before I come to that.
Action Two is to examine our motives for what we’re doing right now. Are we driven by hatred, by the desire to get revenge, by the need to get even with the people who did “this,” whatever “this” might be on any given day. If that’s the case, we won’t be creating solutions, we’ll be adding to the problem. Just as an obvious example, blaming and attacking all police officers (including those doing their best to protect black residents and business owners) for the actions of those who victimized Mr. Floyd is indefensible and certain to do nothing but make matters worse.
Action Three is to at least try to understand the motivations of others. I don’t mean to say that we excuse their actions, simply that we should make the effort to be as certain as we can as to why people did what they did. In normal circumstances, I would urge that we try to put ourselves in the other guy’s shoes and see things from their perspective. That’s terrific advice in many cases, but it doesn’t apply here. Still, asking why this happened is a worthwhile effort. Some are in no doubt that former-officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck and caused his death because of racism. They may be right. Or is it not possible that even racism is too high a motive to assign to a sadistic thug who did a wicked thing out of sheer hellish pleasure at the suffering he was causing? I don’t know if Chauvin’s actions were motivated by racism or not; he is probably the only one who knows that for sure. Either way, the damage he has caused – his murderous act, the pain he has brought to everyone who knew and loved Mr. Floyd, and the devastation he has unleashed upon all of us across the nation, must not be the last word. The depths to which such a man can sink ought to horrify us to the point that we expend every last effort within us to make sure we never get within a million miles of becoming him. It should provoke us to be better, to do better, to not let George Floyd’s murder be for nothing, to not give this monster the power to rip us apart.
Action Four is to build relationships across those boundaries by which some would sadly love nothing more than to see us remain divided. We do not have to be divided by race, creed, color or religion unless we choose that division for ourselves.
I want to tell you about my friend, Ron. Ron is in his eighties now. He is statesman-like in bearing, and he’s one of the smartest men on the planet; a retired scientist no less. His wisdom flows unhindered by circumstance… that is to say, no matter what is happening nearby, stick close to Ron and you’ll learn something worthwhile. Ron is a black man who grew up in the Jim Crow South. He will tell you the injustices he has endured in his life, and he will do so without a trace of rancor. Whatever those who victimized him with their idiotic ideas and vicious prejudice thought they were doing, they never came close to beating him.
These days, Ron teaches Sunday School at my church. Whatever age has brought (he has a knee that gives him some trouble) it hasn’t affected the clarity of his thinking or the precision of his eloquence. It is my privilege to sit at his feet every week and drink in the fruits of his long study and keen insight. Ron is the kind of friend that only comes along very rarely in someone’s life. I love and value him beyond measure. He’s black, I’m white, and until this moment in time, I doubt either of us has ever given a moment’s thought to the color of the other. If that kind of relationship bothers you, it would be prudent of you not to say so in my company. I mean to threaten nothing other than a zealously expressed evaluation of such a person’s foolishness, but you can certainly count on that.
I think of Ron’s beautiful and spirited wife, Norma, and of other friends like Anthony, Val, Sheila, Janis, Joyce, Mike, Glenda, Shawn, Brandon, David, and so many other incredible African Americans who have enriched my life over the years in ways that are literally countless. It is simply inconceivable that I would ever consent to live silently in a world where these priceless relationships would be put at risk by the cowardly stupidity of racism.
My list of suggested action steps is hardly exhaustive. You can probably think of several proactive, practical steps you can take right now to build bridges in your community. Do that. Whatever you do, don’t do nothing.
I mentioned that I only know of one sure way to change a human heart, to displace hatred with love, to experience forgiveness of sins and so forgive the sins of others. One doesn’t have to be a follower of Christ to spurn hatred, racial or otherwise, but when human failure threatens to prevail, in that or any other facet of the human condition, it is Jesus who offers the strength to overcome any barrier, surmount any obstacle, bridge any divide. In dying for our sins, that’s precisely what He came to do.
In closing, let me leave you with some wisdom far beyond my own:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21).
Brian Paterson
Global Director, Stella’s Voice
