This past week the country has been in an uproar due to the shooting of another, unarmed African American young man, Mike Brown. Communities in Ferguson, Missouri are reeling with peaceful protests, angry marches, demonstrations, riots, looting, building burnings, the National Guard, news reporters from across the nation – tragedy!
This horrific event forces our Country to face difficult conversations about how we view one another. Whether we want to admit it or not, preconceived notions impact how we treat one another. Imagery is powerful. Below is a link (click or copy and paste into browser) from a CNN documentary done a few years ago entitled, "A Look at Race Relations Through A Child's Eyes"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPVNJgfDwpw
Some might ask, “What does this have to do with what’s happening in Ferguson, MO?” I suggest that it has EVERYTHING to do with the issues we are facing today.
I pray that we as the Church will begin to ask ourselves the hard questions about how we view others, how we treat others and even how we view ourselves. I pray that we will have conversations…not only about how we are being treated, but how our behaviors can set us up for dangerous circumstances. I pray that we will do more than take pictures with “our hands up” …that we will work together to hold officials accountable for disproportionate numbers of minorities being killed and jailed, while others committing similar offenses walk free or get a proverbial “slap on the wrist.”
Hard conversations are needed. Hard conversations are necessary. Hard conversations are critical. May we begin the conversations and the work now.
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
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