Riots and Injustice
So many people upset. So many people proving their point. So many people not listening.
Those three sentences describe social media over the last couple of weeks.
Here’s the truth - We should be upset. Let’s just make sure our energy is aimed at the root of the problem.
George Floyd murdered by a person who swore to protect. Riots ensued. Social media blew up. Cries from the black community were met with ignorant statements from some in the white community.
PEOPLE - riots only happen for one reason! They happen when peaceful protests and voices aren't heard.
Oh, you aren’t convinced the protests started peacefully? Remember when Colin Kaepernick protested peacefully 4 years ago and many in the white community were outraged? Now those same white people focus on the rioting and say things like ‘rioting doesn’t equal justice’ or ‘why can’t they just protest in peace’?
THEY TRIED! WE REBUKED THEM!
Before we get self-righteous because we’ve individually never thought about rioting over something before (or we have it’s just over protecting our 2nd Amendment rights. You know…the things “we” care about…the things that represent “our freedoms”); let’s really try to put ourselves in the shoes of our frustrated black brothers and sisters. Let’s also not forget that America was founded on riots. Our English forefathers tried to peacefully protest. Their voices weren’t heard. What did they do? Not only did we violently revolt against Britain, but we came to someone else’s land, murdered them, and took over. We even learn about these riots in history class. Everyone knows about the Boston Tea Party...in fact, Americans celebrate it. But that was for freedom! That was for the home of the brave...irony much?
Isn’t what’s going on today for freedom? For justice? For equality? Disagree with the method but at least logically think about it.
Does violent resistance and rioting make our lives better? Absolutely not. It’s actually the opposite way of Jesus. But we have to be mature enough to listen, learn, and change. Throughout history, violent resistance sometimes led to positive social change. It brought attention to oppression. It exposed those in positions of power who abused their privileges. It forced us to investigate our governmental systems, and in some cases it caused corrupt leadership to step down or surrender.
For the record - I do not support violence in any capacity...ever! Non-violent resistance is the way of Jesus. It also was the way to social justice exemplified from leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. Actually, Gandhi got rid of British colonial rule through peace, not violence. It’s even recorded that German Nazi’s had the hardest time dealing with those that opposed them peacefully, without violence. So no, riots are unacceptable and do not serve as a solution. They are wrong.
BUT
Riots are almost always the bi-product of real injustice. No one riots without reason. Riots are often a cry of desperation. They are a cry of frustration. They happen when people feel like they have no other option. So don’t respond to this post without listening to what is being said. No, riots are not good. No, riots are not the answer. No, I do not agree with riots. I am sad about them. But I’m also smart enough to understand they take place for a reason.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear? ... It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.”
When we address the reason…
When we empathize with the oppressed…
When we listen to learn…
When we provide justice for everyone…
We eliminate riots.
White people - we must engage in real life conversations with black people instead of posting on social media of how mad we are about the riots to our all white Facebook friends. We must stop rolling our eyes at race conversations while we sit in a circle with only white people. We must humble ourselves. We must pray. We must speak up and speak out against injustice. We must come together...
I must change.
To my black friends - I’m sorry for taking so long to stand with you!