Hardly
a week passes anymore without a report of another black man (usually young)
being shot and killed by the police. I am wearied from hearing these
tragic stories. It certainly seems like this is happening more frequently, but
I wonder if the prevalence of smart phones has simply captured what
used to remain invisible and unreported in the media. Also, social media
facilitates the dissemination of information today so almost nothing escapes
being exposed to the public.
It
is tragic whenever a young person's life is terminated no matter the cause of
death. Whether or not the shooting was legally justified, one cannot help but
feel overwhelmed by the needless waste of the potential in that young life.
Even when the police action is exonerated, the fact remains- a tragedy has
occurred. When public rioting and looting is the response to a police shooting
or when there is lethal retaliation against innocent police officers, it is
even more tragic.
But,
I am frustrated by how often the focus in the media seems skewed. Frequently,
in the evening newscast, we see pictures of the victim of a police
shooting posed in their graduation cap and gown. Yes,the picture emphasizes the
tragic waste of another young person's life. The picture of the young man in his
cap and gown helps create empathy for the victim and anger toward the
police officers who were responsible for the shooting death of the victim.
What often seems to be missing in these reports of police
shootings is the fact that several of the victims were involved in criminal
activity when they were killed by the police. Being involved in a crime does
not in itself justify the death of the perpetrator. But, the near silence in
the media about the criminal activity of the victim encourages greater moral outrage
against the police. So, all I am asking is what about telling the rest of the story surrounding the
incident?
If the motivation for not consistently reporting any criminal activity of the person who was killed by the police is out of respect for the deceased and their loved ones, I can understand. But, when we don't tell the whole story- when we only focus on the tragic death at the hands of police- do we not disrespect the reputation of the police officers and their family if they acted appropriately within the law?
Now, my blog title says that I am a retired preacher so you may ask why am I speaking out on this subject? Every death of a person, young or old, who was involved in criminal activity reminds me of the warnings in the first chapter of The Proverbs where Wisdom is addressing a young man as a father would address his son.
Listen, my
son, to your father’s instruction
and do not
forsake your mother’s teaching.
They will be
a garland to grace your head
and a chain
to adorn your neck.
My son, if
sinners entice you,
do not give
in to them.
If they say,
“Come along with us;
let’s lie in
wait for someone’s blood,
let’s waylay
some harmless soul;
let’s
swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole,
like those who go down to the pit;
we will get
all sorts of valuable things
and fill our
houses with plunder;
throw in
your lot with us,
and we will
share a common purse”—
my son, do
not go along with them,
do not set
foot on their paths;
for their
feet rush into sin,
they are
swift to shed blood.
How useless
to spread a net
in full view
of all the birds!
These men
lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay
only themselves!
Such is the
end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes
away the lives of those who get it.
The New International Version. (1984). (Pr
1:8–19). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
I
believe there are really two basic questions regarding these police
shootings. The obvious question is "why are there so many police
shootings?" The bigger question though is "what is happening in our
culture- especially that of the predominately black neighborhoods in the
inner-city?" Some may answer that it is the result of gang activity.
Others point to the breakdown of the family, especially in the black community
where too often there is an absence of a positive father image in the family.
Did you note above in above quote from Proverbs that it was a father counseling
his son about the danger of choosing the wrong friends? Destructive activity
often boomerangs to come band and destroy the perpetrator.
Do you. like I, wonder why so many inner-city children are being reared without the influence of a father? I will let the sociologists and professionals offer their answers, but could it also be that our social welfare policies share some responsibility? Then, there is also the question about the lack of influence of the local churches? I pray that God will grant the pastors of our churches (whether inner-city or suburbia) the wisdom and boldness to proclaim truth and to provide biblical counsel for strong families.
Meanwhile, when the media posts pictures of victims (I don't like that word) of police shootings, why not share the rest of the story?
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