Please don’t leave. Let’s talk.
We all have strong feelings here. Some support the summer long demonstrations for an end to racism in the law enforcement community; some are in opposition to a movement that has brought looting and violence here in Rochester and in cities around the county and the world.
So why bring it up? Aren’t there enough problems out there to deal with without talking about an issue that divides so many of us?
A couple reasons I think.
- Looking away only keeps the problem festering.
- We’re a people of hope. We never give up striving to let love win.
So briefly . . . let’s look at both sides.
(I went to the BLM website and discovered that it had morphed from a “movement” to combat racial injustice by law enforcement, to an “organization” that now espouses causes contrary to Catholic teaching about gender and family. What follows is a description of the movement NOT the organization.)
There is a different experience of life if you are a person of color in this country. I don’t think there’s a black person over the age of 13 that hasn’t experienced some form of discrimination (however slight) that has never occurred to me as a white person. I’ve never . . .
- Had the cops called on me for walking in a strange neighborhood.
- Been called “suspicious” because of the clothes I wear.
- Had my name or hair ridiculed for being “different”.
- Had my intelligence doubted because of my color.
- Watched people wrap themselves in a flag that championed my people’s slavery 150 years ago.
- Been told a house I’m interested in has already been sold – – when it hasn’t.
- Seen video’s of suspect white men being choked to death as they begged to be allowed to breathe.
- Been told, as an Irishman, to go back to where my people came from.
Space doesn’t allow for hundreds more examples. The net result is, over time (like 200 years), a deep seated anger and resentment. Like a volcano it eventually blows.
Okay. Now the other side . . .
- What about the lawlessness, looting and gun fire that accompanies Black Lives Matter protests? Doesn’t that indicate a criminal component?
- What about the disrespect, taunting, and rock throwing endured by lawful authority that’s trying to save the very neighborhoods the protesters live in?
- How could we possibly “defund” law enforcement when 99% of officers only want to “serve and protect”?
- What about the “outside agitators” that come to town using the protests to just cause trouble?
- Why isn’t the movement called “All Lives Matter”? Don’t we all count equally here? If blacks don’t want to be “profiled” or set apart, doesn’t the movement make a certain race “special” in a way that creates reverse discrimination?
So what do you think?
By the way, I don’t imagine I’ve captured the full picture of either side. Each bullet point can be nuanced to be more accurate. I’ve tried to be as fair as I can, listening to conversations about town and watching all the news channels (we’re news junkies in the rectory).
But weighing the points on both sides, I’m wondering – – – Isn’t there a guiding light to lead us through the loud voices on both sides? I think there are. Two in fact. They’re called Justice and her sister Love; they are graces, come from God, to guide our life here on earth. They unite us as children of God.
Can we not find a way to attend to the wounded cry of the black community? (There’s been real injustice here.). Can we not support Law Enforcement in their mission to “serve and protect”? I think we can.
But it’s going to require we listen to each other; that we put away the “knee jerk” reaction we use to end discussion and protect our opinions. Most of all we can’t close our eyes to this just because it’s unpleasant.
Talk to your children. Get them to express themselves about this. This is important. Children must be challenged to see Christ’s way in this matter. Can we say a prayer at dinner or bedtime that asks God’s help?
“Lord Jesus, help us to see your face in all your people. And to love as you have loved us.”
With Love,
Fr. Tim
PS. Next week let’s talk about our favorite ice cream!
