“Make sure if you are pulled over you have your licence and registration already out and sitting on the dashboard. When the officer approaches your vehicle keep your hands on the steering wheel and do not move them anywhere below that. I just want you to be safe and for nothing to happen to you.”
These words come from my Aunt as she talked to my brothers about their upcoming weekend trip to Atlanta. She is worried that there will be some sort of miscommunication between my brothers and the officer causing a harmful situation for them. In light of the recent events, this scenario is a realistic fear that runs rampant in the minds of anyone who loves a Black Man of any age.
Watching and reading the news coverage over the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile my heart could not help but weep and be filled with the unwanted familiar pain when the world lost Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland and so many others in the past two years. My heart grieved for their loved ones who would never be able to wrap their arms around them or hear their voices again. I was fearful for what these murders would do to those who are fed up with seeing young men die at the hands of the badge. I was worried at the innocence lost in the eyes of young ones as they witnessed this shameless violence plastered on every television and mobile device, replayed continuously. I was also fearful of the world in which my nephews would grow up, that one day just because of their ethnicity and racial background someone could see them as a threat and take their lives.
As I expressed myself on social media, to some it was as if my opinion was invalid or hurtful because I decided to speak out for a specific group of people that I identify with and the pain I feel for them. A comment that stated “But I thought #AllLivesMatters” was the first response. In drawing attention to the murder of these two young men and stating that Black Lives Matter I did not state that “Only Black Lives Matter”. If one truly knew my heart they would know that I have love for every creature upon this Earth. Any loss of life leaves my heart heavy, but many folks leave relationships to solely a social media experience and that is a whole other problem. Their bravery is hidden behind their computer keys and they choose to believe what they want for the sake of argument. This is not me and shall never be me. So I was appalled when someone I thought knew my character well took this as a chance to shut me down or put me in my place.
Oppression is “prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control”. This idea stems deep in our American History and can find its roots in the cargo boats, cotton fields, white hoods, “Colored” Signs, Stolen Songs/Rhymes, and Appropriation. One could even say it is a tradition and it is a sad time in America as we witness people agree that it is more important to stand up for tradition than speak out when there is blatant injustice.
Then the murder and the attack on the Policemen in Dallas. My eyes could not believe what I saw in the headlines. Police “Men” were only trying to protect and serve the protesters who had gathered that day. The senseless killing of the men in Baton Rouge a week later. How can we live in a world where murder, of all sorts, has become a norm. Taking their lives did not grant justice and will never grant justice.
Our Nation, Our World is so broken. We have built up a system that continues to oppress people vocally and murder them expecting silence. The only way we can heal from this as a Nation is to turn back to the Cross. Only Love casts out hate! All of the acts that have taken the lives of these men and women are of hate or fear rooted in decades of hate.
Now I do not believe that we need to be silent ,as a People or a Nation, because this would yield nothing. The world needs to know our pain. They need to know our worries. They need to know our anger. I do believe that we need to protect ourselves and act knowing that one suspicious move could cause another life lost. Know that we need to speak out and reach out for laws and policies to be created. We have this freedom and it shall not be denied.
"Love Your Brother As You Love Thyself" ~Mathew 22:39
Love conquers all: death, pain, hate, and fear. True Love in its purest state was when Jesus gave his life for us to know Him. If one truly knows the Lord there is a heart change. The bible mentions this heart change in Ezekiel 11:19 “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh” and other passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17. It also tells you to “Love your brother as you love yourself” in Matthew 22:39”.
We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord, and all His children are told to love one another. This has no exemption of ethnicity or profession. After all Jesus, whom we desire resemble in heart, loves both the Samaritan Woman and Tax Collector.
I pray for my nation to know the Lord. As we come to Him as we truly know and walk with Him, then and only then will these injustices cease to exist.
Pray With Me.
-SH
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