By Rev. Carla M. Mitchell
Courtesy of a LinkedIn Post, May 28, 2020
(Editor’s Note: The article is being reprinted as it was posted in its entirety, though some situations mentioned by Rev. Mitchell may have changed since its initial posting) I will acknowledge that sometimes, I don’t post everything I write, because I don’t want to offend folks, but my spirit will not let me just write this and leave it! So…if you read and don’t agree, that’s cool – respect my opinion and my right to express it.
As a minister…a human being and beloved Child of God, I believe that BLACK Lives and all lives matter; however, the reality is BLACK LIVES don’t matter the same for far too many in the ‘dominant culture’!
When the Black Lives Matter movement grew in strength, voice and prominence several years ago, I remember seeing signs posted in yards that said, “blue lives matter” (meaning police officers) and I thought: “you totally do not get it!” This statement is not to discount any lives, but to insist that BLACK LIVES must matter too…to everyone!
Certainly, the majority of police officers value all human life, but it is painfully clear that there are too many officers who swore an oath to protect and serve all citizens, DON’T value the lives of Brown and Black people who reside in the communities they serve in.
In September of 2017, the current occupant of the White House loudly declared before one of his rallies that NFL owners should fire Black (and White) players who quietly kneel in protest against the senseless killing of Blacks by police, during the National Anthem.
I was appalled by his language, tone, total lack of consciousness and empathy – NOT SURPRISED – because he was showing who he really is and what he really thinks and believes about Black (and Brown) people in America (and around the world) and they’re exercising their right to express it, he simply reaffirmed my belief about him.
Why is it that an UNARMED Black Man who is handcuffed and shown not resisting (per a new video that’s now surfaced), UNJUSTLY dies at the knee of a White police officer; YET, a White man whom police believe murdered at least two people and was on the run (with loaded weapons in his possession); is captured and taken into custody with NO SHOTS fired or physical injury subjected to his person by the police?
I don’t believe I’m the only person who has noticed that when it’s Whites who commit heinous crimes, they are RARELY injured, tased or physically violated by police while being arrested or sought, yet Blacks–and disproportionately Black men–are.
I agree with LeBron James’ expression of anger over the senseless murder of Mr. George Floyd when James posted a photo on Instagram of the officer kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck as he is handcuffed next to a photo of Colin Kaepernick quietly kneeling in protest of police brutality. “Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you?? #StayWoke”
The mayor of Minneapolis is right to ask WHY the police officers responsible for the murder of Mr. Floyd are not under arrest? Murder is never okay no matter who commits it and justice must be rendered to everyone who murders one of God’s beloved children.
Lord knows I do not have the answer to when justice will occur, but equal justice for ALL must become a reality in America. I do not condone looting or the burning of businesses in protest and frustration because innocent business owners and communities who rely on those businesses are negatively impacted by the wrongful actions of some, but the frustration that brought about the protests is understandable.
Sadly, I’m not sure that the police officers who committed this crime will see justice for this murder; there is too much recent history that shows it doesn’t happen, but the call for social and fair justice for murders of unarmed Blacks and other minorities must be proclaimed and pursued.
I am not impressed that the president has called on the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI to look into this murder because there have been way too many murders of unarmed Blacks at the hands of law enforcement and Whites during his tenure as president where he has remained LOUDLY silent! And for the record, Mr. president, this is more than “sad, very sad!” It is inexcusable!!
Then…to make matters worse, today (at midnight) the president retweeted a disgusting statement from one of his supporters (fellow republicans) that said, “the only good Democrat is a dead one!”
Here’s the link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news-/president-trump-shares-video-of-supporter-saying-the-only-good-democrat-is-a-dead-democrat/.
Does anyone REALLY believe the president is sincere about wanting real justice for Mr. Floyd or any person of color?? Let’s not forget that the majority of Blacks and people of color in America vote Democrat.
It is not lost on me that this is an election year and there are only six months before the general election!! The president does not value people of color in this country with any degree of sincerity or empathy and we should ensure that EVERYONE who will be of age to vote – GETS REGISTERED and VOTE!! WE HAVE THE POWER AND NUMBERS TO MAKE CHANGE COME NOVEMBER!!
WE MUST EXERCISE THAT POWER THROUGH OUR VOTES AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH PEOPLE! STAY WOKE – STAY INFORMED – REGISTER & VOTE!
–Rev. Carla Mitchell is an ordained minister, chaplain, trained mediator and author of, “Dialogue of the Heart” ministries.
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