I want to talk about what’s happening in Baltimore. I actually want to talk about what’s happening across the country… across the globe — both on a grand scale and in the individual heart. But I’m not certain we can have that discussion yet. This may be too tough, too tricky. Too many are too willing to jump on the latest rant.
When we quickly pounce upon the latest rant, we no longer listen to nor examine the validity of another concern. Make no mistake about it; many rants have validity. But that’s the key: many rants have validity. For example, consider “black lives matter”; they do. Consider, also, the violent protestors’ foolishness; it is. No excuse should be made for why one truth isn’t true. And neither truth trumps the other — regardless of how many attempt to aver any “chicken vs. egg” type of argument.
What this tells me — as we witness so many deeply troubled — is that we haven’t identified a true bottom line of what’s happening. It’s as if we keep struggling with symptoms manifest in society, but we never really wrestle with what’s driving the disturbance.
So in my desire not to incite any rant but to instead move toward solution — which should be consistent with wise leadership — allow me to first make 5 observations:
- There is a distrust of police among a significant number in the African-American community.
- Many are quick to judge the police.
- Many are quick to judge the protestors.
- Many claim solely one people group is to blame. And…
- Many are utilizing the phrase “as long as” to justify their conclusions and response.
Allow me to expand on observation #5, attempting to tie this all in together…
I keep hearing persons utilize the phrase “as long as” to justify their actions. That happens in all conflict. That’s happening in Baltimore. It happens in politics; it sometimes happens in marriage — even on Facebook. The “as long as” mantra conveniently absolves self of any responsibility and casts all onus on someone else. For example…
“As long as” poverty exists… “As long as” income is unequal… “As long as” black people are disrespected… “As long as” police are distrusted… “As long as” property is destroyed… “As long as” white privilege exists… “As long as” oppression is ignored… “As long as”…
As long as we focus the attention on someone else, we never have to look within ourselves. That’s a tough truth. It may be too tough for some to discuss.
So let me add one more idea…
I said earlier that I don’t believe we’re wrestling with the true bottom line. I think that’s key. The bottom line in this issue is not, in my opinion, about tensions between the black and white communities. In my opinion, it’s bigger; it’s about a lack of respect for all life. For all life. The only place I learn to respect all life equally is by submission to One who is always wiser than me. Only in my faith am I taught to humble myself, recognize that I don’t have life all figured out, and then honor other people due to the reality that God created them, too — “all men are created equal.” I am no better nor worse than they.
Yet we live in a culture where we are increasingly discriminatory toward life. We pick and choose which lives mean more. We trump some life more than others — the rich or poor, healthy or handicapped, smart or stupid, born or unborn, young or old, male or female, etc. etc. Please feel no judgment there, friends. I am equally guilty of at times believing one life is more valuable than another.
The only wise response seems to humble ourselves and pray. When we humble ourselves and pray, we deal with our own guilt. When we humble ourselves and pray, we are more capable of refraining from jumping on the rants. And when we humble ourselves and pray, we have more compassion for all people… not just some. Maybe then, finally, we can wrestle with the actual bottom line. Maybe then we can discuss what’s so tricky and tough.
Respectfully…
AR