Where are the good guys? Processing the Eric Garner verdict

Over the summer, my five-year-old son Jaxon and I were walking from the lake back to our place when we came by a CPD officer sitting alone in his SUV cruiser. Well, I was walking. Jaxon had negotiated early on to be carried.

The officer was reading some paperwork but looked up when he realized we were moving toward him. Without any introduction I said to Jaxon, “Buddy, this is a police officer. If you ever need help you can go up to him or someone that has a uniform on like him. If you ever can’t find mommy or daddy, find him or someone like him and ask for help.” With a big smile the officer immediately understood what I was doing and spoke to Jaxon, “That’s right little man. We’re here for you. I hope nothing bad ever happens, but if something does and you can’t find dad — come find me or another police officer and we’ll help.” He gave Jaxon a high-five. Jaxon smiled. As we walked away I said, “Those are the good guys Jaxon.”

If Jaxon was old enough to understand the news this week, would he still believe that?

In my heart, I truly do know and believe that not all cops are bad. I am incredibly thankful for those who serve and put their lives on the line every day for our city. It would be horrible to think that anyone with a badge is corrupt. There are many, many police officers who are still the good guys.

Yet the Eric Garner case shows us that something is wrong. Something is broken. Something needs to change.

Last night on his show, John Stewart put it best, “I don’t know if people are saying that this cop is racist, but it seems the escalation of these incidents may be a byproduct of a system that’s applied unequally and with prejudice. Because if it’s not that, what is it?”

In July when the news broke about Eric Garner I remember sitting in stunned silence. This week when the grand jury decision came out the shock was like a bomb going off. To my African-American friends, church family members, colleagues and neighbors, I know that bomb is of the nuclear variety. And I am so sorry. Trying to imagine what you’re going through feels like going to the funeral of a friend’s loved one: I can’t truly know your hurt, I want to say something but don’t know what words to use, I’m going to pray for you but that doesn’t seem like enough, I want to be there for you but I don’t know what that looks like. Know that I love you. Know that I’m for you. Help me understand what to do.

It’s unfathomable to me how people can’t see the injustice in this one (I’m looking at you Sean Hannity). Not to over-quote Stewart, but he put it best during his Wednesday night show when he said, “None of the ambiguities that existed in the Ferguson case exist in the Staten Island case and yet the outcome is exactly the same” (you really should watch the video of him below).

And that outcome is horrible. HORRIBLE.
Power was misused. The system didn’t acknowledge that.
Something is broken.

Good cops and government officials need to be honored.
Bad cops and officials need to be held accountable.

I want Jaxon and Baylee to believe there are good guys out there.
But I want their African-American friends to know it the same and equally.

Where are those who will make this happen?
Where are those who will pray?
Where are those who will speak up?
Where are those who will do good?
Where are those who will seek justice?
Where are those who will correct oppression?

Where are the good guys?

I’m trying to figure out how to be one of them.
I hope and pray there are many others as well.

- — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -

While processing everything, I’ve resonated and have been challenged by the the words of others:

This article by Jonathan Merritt which says it all: It’s high time white Christians start listening to our black brothers and sisters.

This article: A United Evangelical Response: The System Failed Eric Garner

This article showing so many protesting.

This commentary by John Stewart from which the second quote is taken from:

Also, Stewart’s segment from last night is great for not only the first quote above but also for his comments about Sean Hannity — LINK.

But most importantly in these words:

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. Psalm 33:5

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39