Im saddened... For the loss of life... For the added strife... For the inhumane act of rage. They say theres six degrees of separation so all of us are connected, weve all lost and share in grief. I speak not to be political, not to polarize, not to justify or deny. Wake up my peers, my colleagues and friends and see we share something in common, precious life, that ought to be valued, respected, revered and protected... Irregardless of profession, color, class or religion. We are in danger of perpetuating hate by choosing a side and making comments that divide... Shame on news media... Shame on messengers of hate... Shame on the ignorant, irrational and irresponsible. Shame on an institution that rejects accountability. Shame on the innocent that become self-righteous, choose a side and further polarize themselves, becoming antagonistic towards what is fair or right, but moreso a part of a hyper sensational crowd. We have to do better... I speak not from one perspective but from many. I am the Church... I am a messenger of hope and peace... I am the Institution... I am government... I am a Public Servant I am Educated... I am a rational thinker... I can analyze critically... I am Human... I hurt... I bleed... I feel... I empathize... I am Black... I share a social experience whether imposed or inherited, assumed, encountered, or voluntarily accepted... An identity that I can not shake or disassociate... And so there is pride in success and a sense of solidarity in the narrative of corporate struggle. To speak of love and righteousness is fair. To speak of justice politics and economics is fair. To challenge performance of government is fair. To critique methods of teaching and learning and the distribution of information is fair. To speak of pain, and struggle, and bias, and disparity is fair for I am only human... As we all are, whether we wear a badge or sweatshirt with hood, a tie, a baseball cap, a helmet, gel haired, an Afro, spiked mohawk, or braids. Society cant function harmoniously if we pit ourselves against each other and do not work together. Why is a call for better police/ community relations consider a horrible thing? Both police and community need to be supported and held accountable. Why would law enforcement officials be upset when law makers say respect the peoples constitutional rights to peacefully assemble, and hold EVERYONE to the same standard of a Just judicial process. Why would it be okay for a serviceman/woman to turn their back on the commander in chief, the governor, the commissioner or the mayor? (Regardless of politics) Why would it be okay for a man to shoot his girlfriend, two officers, and himself... And call it the mayors fault, the polices fault, the activist fault, the protestors fault, or the fault of any other people group... The man is nothing short of sick and irrational... My concern is that our discussions are one dimensional and limited to a blame game or a superficial word of condolence. Civility is under attack and we all are to blame... Therefore we all are responsible for working together to make it safe and just. My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the lost. My prayers go out especially to my beloved congregants of Christ Tabernacle as they serve as agents of healing while incurring this devastating loss. Lastly, I raise my hand to my brow and salute NYs Finest, who risk their lives daily so that we may live with a sense of normalcy in the midst of chaos... Even to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice. The Lord be with us all... #AllLivesMatter
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 07:59:05 +0000
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