I want to thank the many who have responded to my post and that
have pushed me to truly consider the heart of the matter. Is this all about race, religion, education,
social status, culture or content of a person’s character? My parents were both
born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I have never lived in the city but as a
kid visited every year for at least a couple of weeks. As an adult I have
visited with a very different intent from seeing relatives but more so to
understand racism first hand by connecting with multi-racial churches and
community development non-profits who have a passion to bring racial reconciliation
to the forefront.
The collateral damage from this incident in August is
overwhelming! I can’t fathom what has to go into a person’s brain to think that
it’s ok to destroy small businesses in this already torn community. I don’t
understand how the police and National Guard can watch a mob torch a building
or turn over a police car before blowing it up! I totally respect those who are
out voicing their rights to express their views, in a non-violent fashion, about
what took place with the grand jury and the unfortunate death of a teen.
Yet, the real question I believe that has to be addressed is
what caused this incident to happen that day in August? Did this totally boil
down to a race issue between a ‘Black Teen’ and a ‘White Police Officer’? I’m
drawn back to a quote that one of the responders to my post mentioned about
judging a person not by the color of their skin, religion or education but by
the content of their character. (Thanks Martin Luther King for this amazing
statement!) I agree with another response to my post that choosing to take a deep
breath and step back might have stopped this whole incident from occurring. So
instead of a dead teen, a ruined city and a police officer in fear of his life
there might have been a display of racial reconciliation pursued.
As a kid growing up with parents that could have been racist
and biased I was taught to respect others regardless of their background, race,
education or personal choices. This was very different from my other relatives
who expressed real prejudice, which always pushed my dad’s button. The obvious
question has to be raised for this teen and police officer involved in this
tragedy. What type of person that has real character that would reflect what
was preached about on Sunday in church or spoken about as a family would attack
a police officer regardless of his or her skin color? Is it ever lawful for a
police officer to protect him or herself in a situation where their life is in
real danger? Clearly these questions are not easily answered.
It is very difficult to understand another person’s life
circumstances without listening, observing and interacting. That day in August
didn’t provide any opportunity for a police officer to see into the head and
heart of a teen that seemed to be struggling with making good life choices. A
person’s actions don’t always reveal their heart but clearly when someone
threatens another person’s life you are left with few choices, protect
yourself, flee or get help. The what if game, as I mentioned in my last post,
doesn’t necessarily bring a teen back from the grave or put back together a
city that has been ravaged by violence. Maybe it can help stop future incidents
like this from happening as we consider how our action or inaction might
determine the future of another human being or a small town.
Hopefully the need for ongoing dialogue about racial
reconciliation will continue and that we will be honest enough to express our
fears and concerns but still pursue a path that will bring peace and healing
for all parties involved.
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