What Next?

 

There are a lot of raw emotions over the last several days over the death of George Floyd.

 

There is a long history of racial inequality and racial unrest in this country. Our world continues to bear the weight of a global pandemic and the pain of racism. We witnessed a life taken by someone paid to protect him.

 

Silence damns us all.

 

COVID-19 is not a red or blue issue, it’s a human issue.

 

Racism is not a red or blue issue, it’s a human issue.

 

The financial crisis is not a red or blue issue, it’s a human issue.

 

Police brutality is not a red or blue issue, it’s a human issue.

 

Oxygen is not a red or blue issue, it’s a human issue.

 

There is a difference between peaceful demonstrations & rioting and looting. There are five freedoms outlined in the First Amendment are: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assembly and the right to petition the government.

 

In no way do I support rioting, violence against life, limb or destruction of property.

 

We are at a crossroads in this country. Do you truly understand why people are protesting and why they are so angry?

 

There is a long history of racial discrimination and inequality in this country. When you look in the mirror, when you look through the looking glass of this crisis what do you see? Do you see hurting and dying people? Do you see black men and black women dying at the hands of the police? Or do you see opportunists looting and destroying property? Do you want the troops to come in and end the uprising?

 

Do you see a man crying out in pain, dying at the hands of another for 8 minutes and 46 seconds?

 

There is a long list of black men and black women who have lost their lives at the hands of police.

 

When you look around are the people in your space in your business in your church that don’t look like you? Are there people in your space that don’t have the same opportunities that you have?

 

Reach out and help someone, some family outside your neighborhood. Serving other is the greatest gift we can give someone. When we study the life of Jesus, we see He served others.

 

Justice for ALL no matter their background or circumstances, race/ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation.

 

These unfortunate times will give you and me a good chance to see where our friends and coworkers stand. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear, we must lay down the burden of hate and division.

 

We must do what we can to leave our society and our country better than we found it. We are all part of the human family, we must live together as brothers and sisters or die as fools.

 

Moving forward the question is - What are we gonna do about it? Change is difficult.

 

Let’s channel this force of emotions for good; channel our voices for change.

 

We are all facing loss, uncertainty, and division. In light of that, let’s be people who remember that our words wield great power. God meant for each of us to speak words of truth, sandwiched between grace and love.

 

Sit quietly for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Image you are George Floyd, you are laying there with the full weight of someone on your neck. What would be going through your mind, what are your thoughts are you breathe your last breath.

Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”

 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36 NIV

 

#Speak Up. #Get Involved. #ICan’tBreathe, #BLM