Black Brothers, What Would You Have Us Do?

Another day, another black man dead at the hands of the police.

The well-warranted response has unequivocally condemned the misdeeds of the four officers involved and called for their prosecution.  Social media is replete with calls for action, for change, for justice.  Our nation is in an uproar once again.

As a white man, situations like this leave me sad and confused.  I never know quite how to react.  I know that, first of all, we need to make sure that we don't conflate all stories of violence against black men.  Each story is unique and needs to be viewed individually.  We may notice the pattern that these stories demonstrate, but we need to acknowledge every victim and every perpetrator.  We need to weigh the evidence in each and every case.

I also know that the problem of police brutality is not exclusively a racial issue.  I am willing to acknowledge that police brutality towards black men may be disproportionate, but the reality is that plenty of men and women of all ethnicities experience police brutality.  Calling this a racial issue is overly simplistic.  This is an issue of police departments, infamous for their fraternal cultures, failing to hold accountable those psychotic, power-hungry individuals within their ranks.  This isn't (just) about race.  It's about right vs wrong.  It's about good vs evil.  It's about Uncle Sam overstepping his bounds without being held accountable.

Too many times the white response to this issue is to rationalize what happened, to call out the media for race-baiting, or to demonize the victim.  Whatever extenuating circumstances may exist in any given situation, the fact is that too many black men are brutalized by police, and that should outrage anyone who speaks of justice, calls himself pro-life, or claims the name of Christ.

This is where the confusion and frustration come in.  Of my 5000 Facebook friends, not a single one defended the actions of that abhorrent police officer.  From what I can tell, America is united in condemning his acts.  Our nation, black and white alike, has condemned him and the officers that stood by and allowed him to abuse his badge.

So, what now?

I ask this sincerely.  What would you have us do?

What do you want me, an average white guy in Canton, OH, to do?

Black pastors are calling for awareness.  Athletes are calling for justice.  Average folks around the country are filling social media with cries for America to respond.

So what do you want us to do about it?  What can be done when the criminals are in charge?

I am aware.  I sympathize with you.  In fact, I am mortified by the injustices perpetrated against blacks, throughout history and in our own day.  I acknowledge that my life has probably been easier because I am white.  I do my best to treat all people equally, regardless of the color of his skin.  I am raising my children with this same worldview.

What else can I do?

How can I erase racism from the hearts of sinners?  How can I reverse the racial strife that has existed, not simply between blacks and whites, but between people of different nationalities and ethnicities throughout history?  How can I stop the police from brutalizing my fellow citizens across this nation?

I must confess that I do not have the answers to these questions.

In a world full of evils, racial strife is one more injustice that I cannot fix.  If I could snap my fingers and heal all racial strife in the world, I certainly would, but I can't.  The only solution I know is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Church of Jesus should be a place where men, women, and children of any nationality or ethnicity can find brotherly love and the peace of Christ.  Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. 

So, my black brothers, what would you have me to do?  The only thing I know to do is love my neighbor as myself.  What else can I do?