No one deserves to die on a street pinned down by their neck, for any reason or circumstance. No one should be yelled at and threatened while walking in a park and kindly asking you to honor a city law by leashing your dog for safety reasons. No one deserves to be shot while running, even if. There should never be a hesitancy of “well let’s get all the facts first.” No, no one deserves to be yelled at, accused, shot or killed because the color of their skin.
Why do I speak out now? Because my black friends need white friends with influence and privilege to speak out on their behalf. (Literally I scrolled through social media last night and read your statements).
Those of us who have relationships to influence decision makes and policy makers Should use the privilege and influence we have to shine light on the Intolerable injustice and inequities.
I don’t speculate on how Jesus feels about this, but I can only assume sadness with weeping. (See John 11:35)
Here’s some scripture of encouragement for my friends of color and particularly my black friends. Luke 6:21b God blesses you who weep now, for the time will come when you will laugh with joy. I pray that’s soon. Later in the same chapter it says pray for those who hurt you and curse you. I know that’s a hard command. I know many of you, who are praying for white people. May God hear your prayers.
To the individuals who claim to be Christians, I share what is on my heart in total love. I’m sure you would never say you are racist, culturally biased, unconsciously biased, unaware Or Ignorant. So I sought scripture looking for something to show me about actions to maybe let you see not all racism is blatant and horrific like the incidents we see on the news.
Luke 6:43-45 says: A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thorn bushes or grapes on bramble bushes. A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
Examine your tree and its roots. What kind of thoughts, actions, words (fruit) have come out of your life? For those who are Christians, we must repent. Apologize, ask forgiveness. Reconcile with those you’ve hurt (that means to make right). Ask Jesus to change your heart. This is a Deep, Multi-Generational heart problem. But He can change your heart, the lens in which you see the world. I’m proof it can change.
jennifer cofer 