I wanted to write a post addressing the current events surrounding racism and injustice. I, like many others, am outraged and saddened by the death of many people due to the color of their skin. Growing up, I had always believed that the issue of racism was something we had buried in the past with the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. However, the older I get, the more I understand that racism is still a problem in our society today. Yet even with all the crazy things that have been happening lately, I am holding on to the belief that there are more good people in this world than bad ones, more non-racists than racists, more good cops than bad cops.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope that each and every one of you knows that you are a child of God, regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality. God deeply loves you and we are all created in His image. He loves you even when the world may make you feel incredibly hated or forgotten. He feels your pain with you, and longs for His creation to be loved like it was designed to be. I mourn with my fellow Christians over the fact that some of our brothers and sisters in Christ are not being treated in a way that glorifies God or His creation. Please do not think for a minute that we Christians are something we are not. Anyone who claims to be a Christian but is racist, while I cannot claim if they are really a Christian or not because that is between them and God, I can say they clearly are missing what God tries to teach us – to love one another. I would argue these people need to do a self-check on themselves and evaluate where their heart lies, because it is not one that is reflecting God’s heart.
I also want to note that what Derek Chauvin and his idle watching coworkers did to George Floyd was awful, but there is an important aspect of this crime that tends to go unmentioned. Racism is still in our country, and I know that can come in many forms, both in big obvious ways like George Floyd’s death, and in subtle ways that don’t make the news that many Black people face on a daily basis. There are many racist people out there (sadly), but not all of them go out and kill Black people (thankfully). Why? Because the thing is, even if someone is racist, that doesn’t mean they want to kill those they hate. In order for someone to kill another person, even if it is under the umbrella of racism, they would have to be motivated by more than just racism. Racist people can still possess enough of a moral compass to know that killing is wrong, but Chauvin and many others clearly do not have that compass. This shows that Chauvin had some mental issues in addition to his racism. I’m not sure exactly what those issues are. Perhaps it is some kind of personality disorder or something similar, I am not sure. But what I do know is if an investigation is done regarding his mental problems and some connection is found, perhaps in the future police can utilize that tool to prevent these kinds of people from coming into the police force by doing screenings for it. PLEASE NOTE: I am not saying that his racism was okay at all, or that his actions were justified due to a mental illness of some sort. What he did was wrong, and he should pay for that. Also please know that there are many people with all kinds of disorders and mental illnesses who are not racist, mean, aggressive, or in any way dangerous. I do not mean to imply that when I discuss Chauvin’s case specifically. This is in no way intended to blame racism on mental illness because it is not!!! All I am trying to say is that for someone to kill someone else they would have to have some other problems in addition to being racist. Lastly, I want to note that I do not believe all cops, or people for that matter, are like Chauvin. I truly believe there are more good cops and good people than bad ones, and this discussion is not meant to slander all cops or the general population.
I hope we continue to educate ourselves and treat others as we want to be treated. I pray that we will come closer as a nation and a world because of this, and that everyone will know their worth in Jesus Christ. To my Black readers and friends: I am praying for your safety and well being. You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. I hope you know that and I hope you feel the love of everyone fighting and praying for and with you.
“I understand that I will never understand. However, I stand.”
With love,
Maddie
Trust Difficult Roads 