I've waited to give my opinion. I've read and posted on Facebook many perspectives on the recent rash of cop killings both done and received by policeman on duty to serve and protect their assigned communities. White guilt, black lives matter, political, and prejudicial articles and agendas, interviews, and posts have all appeared on the general news media and social news media. Facts have been the least popular and published items in much of the coverage on recent shootings.
I'm Caucasian from the son of an Italian immigrant mom and dad, and Scotch Irish grandparents. Did I choose my "color"? No. Did I choose my parents? No. Thank God they were admirable, wonderful human beings who blessed me my entire life until they left this earth for heaven. God ordained my shade of white, my location, my heritage. Is it better than anyone else's? No. The privilege afforded me was the Lord's placing me in the United States of America, one nation under God. It's a privilege every child born here has been given.
There are policemen in every shade of skin and from most ethnic persuasions. The crimes many of them see would turn the stomachs of most of us. The threats they face would horrify us. One hundred percent of them are not perfect, and a few of them are not interested in holding to correct conduct. The majority of them are upstanding, honorable servants of the law and do their best to work for their communities striving to keep law and order, pursue credibility and helpful relationships with the citizens in those communities.
Some of the unfortunate people who've died at the hands of police were known criminals no matter how much the influence of their "color" influenced the various movements erected in their honor. Yes, they were somebody's son, brother, father, cousin. This makes it all the more tragic that they'd engaged in criminal activity prior to their deaths. The revelation of facts of their deaths revealed their criminal pasts and their refusals to comply with the police in these fatal incidents.
Cops need cooperation from the citizens in their communities. Simple, straightforward cooperation, no matter how annoying or inconvenient. They often must face the fears of explosive responses from those being stopped, pulled over, or asked for license and registration. There are tail lights out, there are traffic violations. There are suspicious circumstances and routine stops.
I've been pulled over by a black cop for rolling through a stop sign when nobody was in sight - except him. He was kind and gave me a warning. Did I think for one minute he pulled me over because he thought I acted with "white privilege"? Not a chance.
I know some black individuals complain because of white cops pulling them over because of the color of their skin. If that's a valid deduction, go peacefully to the station and explain your thoughts to whomever is in charge. Register your complaints and concerns. You have every right to inquire, discuss, and complain. Your life matters as much as anyone's.
But no one's life matters more than another's. No. One's. Not the cop's. Not yours. Not mine. We are equal in God's eyes who designed us, gives us our strengths, forgives our weaknesses, and will bolster all that is good in us if we will turn to Him for all of our needs and assistance. The color of our skins is beautiful to God, part of His magnificent creation. For those who refuse to see it that way, shame on them. If they're in public service with these feelings, they need to seek counseling to resolve their prejudicial issues.
Racism is real regardless of color or ethnic persuasion. It's a sin. It isn't just common to one race or another but to all. Prejudice is real and it's foolish and devilish and needs to be eradicated, but this is a sinful world. It's not going away with marches and protests, gunfire and killing of one kind or another, with ugly and evil rhetoric that perpetuates hatred for no valid reason. How can a man be fairly judged by the conduct of another? Only when a group of people act the same way will those judgments prevail.
These are my ramblings of sorrow . . .
God in heaven, forgive us all. We're desperate for you, your justice, your kindness, your mercy, and grace. Help us, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.