"Never before have we seen a movement in support of black people this expansive and powerful."
Over the last few weeks, several of my friends, black, white, and Asian, have reached out to me concerning the protest around the world and my posts in support of this movement, especially Black Lives Matter as an organization.
For the record, I support Black Lives Matter as a sentiment; as an expressed plea to be heard by society. I don't necessarily support the organization because I have conflicting views on other matters they support. Nevertheless, I commend them for keeping their foot on the gas and pressing the issue until even people of different races acknowledged that this is going too far.
Now is not the time to strain at a gnat or split hairs about secondary beliefs. We all have experienced the point in which a worthy cause becomes so great that people must set their differences aside for the bigger picture; for the sake of having a unified voice. We are at that point. When you get millions of people together, you will always have thousands of different opinions on how to do something and who should lead the charge.
Never before have we seen a movement in support of black people this expansive and powerful. A people that have been severely mistreated and stifled by many of America's cultural biases. I will not be a dissenting voice during this time because I view the events of the last few weeks as mostly just. They are fitting of my support as a Christian black man and pastor of a Bible-believing church.
To be clear, I in no way support looting, vandalism, or stealing. In my opinion, it is counterproductive to become a thief and killer while attempting to exact long-lasting justice and respect. On the other hand, it is also counterproductive to try to address every issue in one conversation. Yes, the black community has its issues that we must address at some point, but now is not the time. Two years ago, I wrote a well-balanced eBook on the matter. For my views on that, download it.
But now, we are talking about the unequal, unfair, unjust treatment of black men, especially by law enforcement. And if you think that is a myth then so is 250 years of slavery, Jim Crow, Bloody Sunday, the Greenwood Massacre, the Tuskegee Experiment, the list extends longer than my soul can bear to write.
...it is the epitome of hypocrisy to hate racism, so in turn, you become a racist.
I think it is the epitome of hypocrisy to hate racism, so in turn, you become a racist. That would mean that I don't truly hate racism. I only hate having the short-end of racism's stick. I have white, Asian, and Latino friends, some of whom I consider my brothers, that have reached out to me these last few weeks. Some have spoken out and joined this movement. I have some that still don't want to get involved. I know some that still don't think this is necessary. Regardless of their stances, I'm a proud black man and have been my entire life. I grew up knowing my history and loving my blackness.
This hour is a historical moment to undo the many injustices that have plagued our existence in America and countries abroad. Please remember, this is a sin that won't go away until addressed. It is rooted in the blood of over 16 million slaves killed before making it to the auction block. Not to mention the atrocities that happened after.
Racism is not the depiction of the evil of one race. World history tells a story that leaves no "race" innocent on this. Still, America's bloody history is a portrait of the depravity in which men can sink into when they give in to hatred. If we are not careful, we'll be lying in more blood in the coming years. Fight for justice, but don't swing for revenge.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"Micah 6:8
Photography by clarissayoung85 via Instagram
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