Great Post on the Shooting
Death of Michael Brown
Monday, December 1, 2014
Jeff Lampl
Jeff Lampl
Benjamin
Watson, a tight end for the New Orleans Saints posted the following message on
Facebook.
His post has gone viral and for good reason.
Here it is.
At
some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the
news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I
decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I'M
ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for
generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I'M
FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police
citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get
young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I'M
FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding
citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't
know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of
the doubt.
I'M
EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only
confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the
inferior treatment.
I'M
SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide
has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and
hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened
that day.
I'M
SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe
Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and
killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance.
Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was
only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked
Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering
the young man to prove a point.
I'M
OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only
insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I'M
CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will
not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a
responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I'M
INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without
looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us
against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And
that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want
assumptions made about me? That's not right.
I'M
HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue
to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to
inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I'M
HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we
enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see
it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a
beautiful thing.
I'M
ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN
problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we
abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to
cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED
because God has providedhis
son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of
looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being.
The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner
tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M
ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment