To whom it should concern: I have sat back and watched so many tragic things happen over the course of these last few months. The murder of unarmed black men and children, the murder of police officers who are out there putting their lives on the line every day to protect us. We just arent getting it are we? All lives matter, black lives, white lives, police lives, ALL LIVES! I have been inspired by so many leaders who have come before us because of their unique ability to facilitate the conversation during times of chaos and controversy. Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela to name a few. Unfortunately we do not have any of these three here today to bring us together on a national scale in an attempt to find resolution to the issues of today. We can’t continue to listen to the media outlets that are in the business to make news, many times feeding the hatred. There is not news to report when we all love each other and get along is there? It’s going to take YOU to make the difference. It’s going to take YOU to facilitate the dialog within your own homes, with your family and more importantly with your children. It will take YOU to be that leader within your own community, workplace, and yes Church,that will stand up against the talk of hatred, and not allow the continuation of bigotry to exist. I am not sure what each of you have decided you want your legacy in this world to be however I want my children to know that their father will ALWAYS stand up against racism, bigotry and evil, regardless of the color or gender of the person it is coming from. Some just don’t get it. Love is natural, hatred is taught. The actions of a few is not a representation of the intentions of a whole. The actions of the officers who have taken the lives of people they should not does not represent all police officers. The action of a disturbed man who went to NY and killed two officers does not represent the feelings of all black people. Families are grieving this holiday season! Let’s stop and think of this for a second. Let’s put down the judgment we pass on others because from what I believe…the only one who has the right to judge others is God, not YOU and not ME.You teach your children every day, not just by the words you say, but the actions you take. Please think of this over the holidays as you gather with loved ones. When that cousin, or uncle or whoever expresses the hatred they feel in their heart, love them and do them justice by reminding them that god loves all of us and so should they! It’s never easy or comfortable to be the one in the crowd with the unpopular viewpoint. Imagine how Jesus felt! -Derek
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:51:59 +0000