Who Will Speak For You

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemoller

The instances that we see in the news of late are hauntingly reminiscent of this allegory. What we are seeing now are predominantly instances of what may be called a discriminatory response to actions affecting the African-American community or other minorities of color. It just can't be ignored that these instances of alleged police misconduct are not happening to white offenders at the same rate. Is it because these minorities are more likely to commit acts of violence against people or property or is there something in our perception of these offenders that makes them seem more of a threat? If that is the case, is this not a time for us to examine our souls to seek out sin and cast it out?

Sometimes it seems that we never get better. Sometimes it seems that our ugliness only goes to ground for a time but returns at a time when we think we have put that behind us. Look within, try to cast a wide view rather than a personal one. Ask why it seems that violence is perpetrated on a select few. These are questions that dog our souls and define who and what we are as humans, Americans and as Christians. Shouldn't we first entertain the thought that something may be wrong rather than just dismiss those protestors as rabble who are only seeking to steal from others? Shouldn't we consider that even though there are some who take advantage of the disorder by looting there still may be something of merit to be heard? Is that not what we would want for ourselves?

These men and boys that we have seen killed, shot down by those empowered to protect and serve, didn't all present themselves in the best light. We know that one was likely selling untaxed cigarettes. The other had just robbed a grocery and was belligerent but was it not possible to have dealt with these offenses without killing? Why did an officer have to apply a lethal, illegal maneuver to bring the man down? Why did the officer have to risk a confrontation without backup in the streets of Ferguson? Why was the boy shot dead within seconds of the police arriving? Why was the boy with the airsoft pistol deserving of death? Would if not have been better to disengage and assess the situation rather than shoot? And here is the kicker. Would those men and boys be dead if they had been white? Whether or not you think this is a valid question it is still one that must be asked because significant numbers of our people think it is a valid question.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this is not a law enforcement problem, this is a socioeconomic problem that was revealed by these deaths. Is the response to alleged offenses of people of color perceived to be discriminatory? If it is then we must change course. This is not the first time we have seen this, not even the first time in my life. I saw it as a teenager in the civil rights protests. I saw it as a college student with the anti-war protests and here it is again, rearing its ugly head.

What if it was you or your loved ones? Would you want someone to speak up? A couple of years ago we had a local case of a police office using unwarranted force repeatedly. He was allowed to continue much longer that he should have by taking advantage of the solidarity of his fellow officers but he was finally brought to account for his actions. Police are in a difficult job, no one disputes that but they must make exceptional decisions in their application of force and must be held to account when they err. Restraint must be the rule rather than the exception. Like others, they are servants of the people, not our rulers.

My Take is this. We must be as diligent about the rights and protection of others as we are of our own. If we do not, who will speak for us when they come for us?