Hello My Chickadees,
I am often struck by how what we think we know often blinds us from the TRUTH. I was reading Mark 6:1-6, which talks about the time Jesus went back to his hometown of Nazareth after having performed many miracles, signs and wonders, and demonstrations of healing. The folks in His hometown didn’t believe He was The Messiah because they thought they knew Him. But Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and opened the Scriptures (Isaiah) which revealed who He was and His divine purpose. They not only didn’t believe Him as He revealed the truth, they tried to kill Him. They completely missed who He really was because they were stuck in their perception of who they thought the Messiah should be and what He would do.
I am also struck by the flaw in our human nature to have the tendency to believe what we perceive to be true based on our own self interests and stereotypes, which often are not based in truth. I was listening to MSNBC shortly after the police killing of Tyre Nichols and the topic was the murder of another black man at the hands of police. Only this time, the officers were black. In light of the race of these officers, the glaring issue is not only the race of the victim but the implicit bias and culture within a system that cultivates such an inhumane manner of treatment toward other human beings.
As I listened more closely to the discussion, the commentator made a statement that struck me as not only being biased—but borderline racist. He stated, and I am paraphrasing, ‘that it seemed to him that in these communities in which there is a high level of crime (which he identified as occurring mostly in black communities), there is a lack of respect for the police—especially among the younger black population. He went on to say that their parents lack respect for police and law enforcement as well.’
My mouth fell open, and I clutched the pearls I didn’t have on, when I heard this perception fall out of his mouth. My thought was, it is this kind of biased, borderline racist stereotypical thinking which produces a culture and climate that justifies treating people of color with disrespect and indignity. If you perceive me as being less than human, you’re going to treat me that way.
Fortunately, the senator being interviewed countered the commentators statements. Prior to being elected to Congress, had worked as a law enforcement officer. He stated that in his experience, most African Americans living in high-crime areas welcome the police presence and intervention, and work along with the police to make their neighborhoods safer. His rebuttal restored my hope in TRUTH winning out over perception. But when you have people like ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani purporting his perception that, “African-Americans are the ones responsible for bad interaction with police” (Fox News 9/23/14); you begin to understand how the current culture of policing has been allowed to exist and the cycle of brutality is able to continue.
Tyre Nichols’ mother spoke of her son as a modern-day martyr who senselessly died for a cause. I pray she is right and he did not die in vain like so many other black men who have lost their lives at the hands of police—police officers who still perceive black people to be 3/4 human, just as we were identified during slavery.
Just like Jesus was treated in His hometown, perception is not always fact. People’s perceptions ultimately did kill Jesus but His death started a movement for change. It is my prayer that the murder of Tyre Nichols will have the same outcome. Let us continue to stand up and fight for justice—because without justice, there can be no peace.
Happy Black History Month, My Chickadees. Keep hope alive as we honor and remember those who have gone before us and paved the way. Continue to strive for ALL to be FREE.
Peace and Blessings to you and your Family,
Gail
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