Police all across the country are being criticized for their use of excessive/lethal force against blacks. I am sorry, but so what. I do not mean that their lives are not important, they are. Most of the time the person being killed was a criminal who attacked an officer or who was approaching an officer with a weapon in hand. Are we seriously asking the officers to let the criminal shoot first or let the criminal hurt them before they respond?
George Floyd’s case may be different, I do not have all the facts, none of us do. This particular case looks like the officer or officers may have killed him. However, I choose not to convict the person based on what the media is showing me. Instead, I choose to let the justice system determine if he is guilty or innocent.
Rayshard Brooks case in my opinion was justified. This man fell asleep at the wheel in the drive-thru. When confronted, he was found to be intoxicated. He resisted arrest and acquired one of the officers tasers. He then turned around like he was going to use the taser. If he had, he could have incapacitated one of the officers and potentially the other as well if just not flat over powering him. He then would have access to the officers weapons and other gear.
Everyone is up in arms about police killing blacks and how black lives matter. But police kill whites, Latinos, and Asians. Where is the outcry over their deaths. In fact more whites are killed by officers than any other ethic group, but that is okay.
Do not get me wrong, if an officer is truly using excessive force, which needs to be clearly defined, then hold them accountable. However, we have to understand that an officer has about 1 maybe 2 seconds to make a decision on what force is needed. Of course all the experts and other people are sitting back and looking at the recordings over and over and over and going this was not justified or that was not justified. Well remember this, hindsight is always 20-20.
In my opinion, police of all forms, federal, state, sheriffs, local, county, city, etc should just quit and let the country have it’s chaos and anarchy. The men and women who serve are in a thankless job doing the best they can with what they have. Now there is talk of dismantling/disbanding them because we feel like America is at a point where they are no longer needed.
Not once do I hear that the criminals should not attack the officers or anyone or the criminals should stop committing crimes. Nor do I hear anyone in any of these communities taking responsibility for how their sons and daughters were raised. Instead, the people of these communities want to blame everyone else.
The real issue is the breakdown of the family structure. Most, not all, criminals are raised without a father or in an abusive household.
I am not perfect in any way, shape, or form. The things I have tried to do is raise my kids to be responsible for their actions, to contribute positively to society, to question everything (Except me, muhahaha, just kidding), to respect others, to forgive, to think before you act, to love the Lord, and accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version (NIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If we would all just follow the above verses, the world would be so much better off. The greatest thing we can do it forgive. Just like Joseph did.
Genesis 50:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Love your enemies the way David loved Saul (Read the book of 1 Samuel through Chronicles). It is also in the verse below:
Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I know this is difficult times and the only way you are going to be at peace is to forgive, pray, and turn your life over to Christ. I urge you to do all of these.