Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson is both a police officer and a symbol. As a police officer, he was taken before a St. Louis County grand jury for the death of Michael Brown. After several days of deliberation, the twelve-panel jury saw no grounds for indicting the officer for the shooting death of Michael Brown.
Brown was shot to death by the police officer following a confrontation with the officer. From information released by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Brown was at fault in that he accosted a uniformed police officer in a marked police car. The police officer contended that “he feared for his life, that he had never before seen such aggression directed towards a police officer.”
As a police officer, Darren Wilson was set free. He was not freed because he was white. He was freed because as a police officer he was within his rights to defend a personal threat and a threat to his authority as a law enforcement officer.
However, as a representative of a system of power, he is still being tried. This time the trial is taking place on the streets of Ferguson. Opportunists, angered by a system that targets minorities and uses excessive force to subdue them, have resorted to violent protests.
In order to understand this tragedy, many persons must be blamed. Many in the media must be blamed for the use of inflammatory language, totally unrelated to the facts of the Michael Brown case. For example, to describe the victim as “an unarmed, black eighteen-year-old,” or as “a gentle giant” is to suggest to the reader that an innocent and gentle teen was overpowered by “a white armed police officer.” Such descriptions appeal to the emotions and are not intended to provoke thoughtful analysis of what actually happened.
Some of the local and federal politicians must also share blame for the flames in Ferguson. Rather than use the occasion to foster healthy dialog and defuse tension, politicians chose to encourage peaceful protests. Many knew that peaceful protests would not be possible. Then why did the politicians not encourage more civil discourse? Why did the politicians not assure the people of Ferguson that the judicial system was designed to bring about a just result?
Why were people not reminded that many changes in a civil society begin at the ballot box? When people choose not to vote, they should not blame others for their negligence. Elected officials appoint persons who they believe are suitable to serve. When we elect officials of our choice, we are more likely to see civil servants reflecting our choices.
For instance, 70% of the residents in Ferguson are black. However, in 2013, less than 12% of blacks, eligible to vote, actually cast a ballot. The result, Ferguson's black majority is minimally represented in its government. Ferguson black residents need to reshape their city’s electoral landscape – legally, that takes place at the ballot box and not through violence on the streets.
In a recent Early Voting appeal in Ferguson, citizens were reminded that five of its six city council members and 94% of its police force were white. The appeal went on to say “...if we want a better, safer future for our children, it’s up to us to vote for change. The choices may not always be perfect, but the cost of inaction is simply too great.”
In the absence of responsible citizenship, the Justice Department has begun a federal probe into whether police officers in Ferguson have used racial profiling or overly aggressive force. The Civil Rights Division is also investigating whether Officer Wilson violated Michael Brown’s civil rights.
Whatever the political outcome, the parents of Michael Brown will continue to carry the pain of losing their son prematurely. As expected, they were disappointed with the outcome. Very maturely, they appealed to protesters to channel their frustration in ways that will make positive change.
They further appealed to everyone to “join with us in our campaign to ensure that every police officer working the streets in this country wears a body camera. We respectfully ask that you please keep your protests peaceful. Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction. Let’s not just make noise, let’s make a difference.”
The Browns are echoing a Christian theme – we should make every effort to live at peace with everyone. In his letter to the Romans, Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge...but leave room for God’s wrath...do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:18-21).
I wish for you and everyone in Ferguson, a blessed thanksgiving. Upon arrival to the United States, the first four thanksgiving celebrations my family and I observed were in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite the gloom, I am confident that there are still more good things for which we can be thankful.
1 comment:
Perhaps the best response to Ferguson I have read came from Pastor Voddie Baucham. Read it at:
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/thoughts-on-ferguson
Ryan Bomberger of The Radiance Foundation also wrote a very helpful article. Read it at:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/ferguson-fate-fatherlessness
I think it is also worth noting that Michael Brown was raised by is grandmother, not his mother or father. His father evidently abandoned him and did not even provide child support. The man referred to as his "step father" is his mother's boyfriend. In other words Michael Brown did not even have a step father either. We mourn the loss of Michael Brown's life. But there is another tragedy underlying the circumstances that led to his behavior that ended in his death. The abandonment of his father, which is endemic to Black society(72% of Black males) but largely ignored by both the mainstream media and the alleged "civil rights" leaders like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton ( I refuse to call them Reverends) because it does not fit the liberal/progressive narrative designed to maintain an underclass dependent on the welfare state and the liberal "you are a victim" of a racist America mindset. And Michael Brown's "fatherlessness" was compounded by his "motherlessness." The gospel is the foundation for changing all of this - heart change produces mind change and leads to an embrace of the truth which alone can set us free.
Post a Comment