There obviously is, and has been, racial tension throughout the nation for quite some time now. We have recently lost two innocent, Black lives to the hands of police brutality. Many people, Christians included, are typically silent during these times to avoid offending their NonBlack colleagues and coworkers. These are some of the same people that chant, "If you don't vote, don't complain. Let your voices be heard!" It's ironic that the silent majority also refuse to use their voices during these times of social injustice. That leaves us in thought with the popular phrase, "WWJD?" (What Would Jesus Do?)

One of the many attributes that earns Jesus some admiration is that He was bold and unapologetic. He did not coddle feelings or pacify offense. He simply told the truth, sometimes bluntly and sarcastically. Although His intentions were never to disregard feelings, He spoke in spite of them. Sometimes the truth looks like a finger in the face, not a pat on the back. It doesn't always sound like the whispers of angels or look like two scoops with a cherry on top. Sometimes, the truth offends.

It is understandable that not everyone is an activist. Some people simply steer clear of that lane. However, activism is not compassion. Everyone should possess and extend compassion. Speaking of, how can one not see the issue that is plaguing this very nation? How can one close their ears to the cries of the lifeless bodies that are left within the streets? How can anyone turn their faces from the reality that Black people are killed by police officers at an alarming rate? If anyone would like to be passive about an issue that is aggressively wiping out a people, so be it. However, they should not condemn those who are outraged and choose to take action.

Many times, people will not acknowledge the current genocide of Black people. It seems as if some are determined to refute the oppressed's anguish.

"Dress better. They'll treat you better. Get an education. They'll take you seriously."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. embodied and exemplified such 'prestige' and the only reward he received was a death certificate. No one should have to conform to the standards of the very people who are determined to prove themselves superior. How someone dresses or speaks does not warrant anyone to treat them any less of a human being. No one should have to meet guidelines to prove they should not be unjustly shot.

"Don't kill each other! They won't kill you!"
It's highly unlikely that racist cops kill Black people because Black people kill one another. African Americans have been being killed for ages - dating back to slavery (when they were not yet killing themselves). Racist people do not need any reason, other than racism, to kill who they hate. It is dangerous to put the blame of oppression on the oppressed.

"What about Black on Black crime?"
Black on Black crime is a myth. Black on Black crime is a myth. BLACK ON BLACK CRIME IS A MYTH. People of the same race are more likely to commit acts of violence against one another (intraracial crime). Black people do not kill each other at a disproportionate rate. Black on Black crime shouldn't be a concept because we don't qualify crime by any other race. Even if 'black on black crime' were actually a 'thing', it still would not permit policemen to racially profile and kill unarmed African Americans. It should not be such a struggle to understand the difference between civilians killing one another and murders committed by police officers.

Another misconception is that Black people neglect to hold themselves accountable for criminal acts against one another. The Black community actually does address this and has also implemented programs, groups, and organizations to prevent inner city violence. (Moms Against Gun Violence, Dream Defenders, etc.) However, Black people don't protest as much when they kill one another because the civilians are held responsible for their actions. Justice is served. Officers typically go home on paid administrative leave after he's killed an unarmed person. The difference between intraracial crime within the Black community and police brutality is that their acts are typically acts of retaliation and personal issues with one another. Cops killing unarmed Black men due to the color of their skin should not be compared. Black men are held responsible when they commit criminal acts against one another; so should police officials. Unfortunately, that is not the case, which is why Black Lives Matter is imperative.

BLM is a movement that seeks justice, positive reform and empowerment. It is not a hate group or an anti-white proposition. It is ludicrous to hear the collective grief of a group and respond to them, "All lives matter! Blue lives matter!" While it is true that police lives matter, as well as all other lives, it completely disregards the fact that Black lives are the ones being disregarded right now. If all lives truly mattered, there should not be an objection to "Black lives matter!" BLM never meant "Only Black lives matter." It's always meant that Black lives matter TOO because it seems as if many have forgotten (or never knew).

"All Lives Matter" is also purposeless because it is not a real movement, but rather a rebuttal. It does nothing for the community. There are no organizers or true protesters. It does not shed light on any of the lives that they claim matter. Their leaders and members do not exist. When NonBlack victims, such as Zachary Hammond and Dylan Noble, were killed due to police brutality, Black Lives Matter gave them coverage. There was not an 'All Lives Matter' outlet that brought awareness to their deaths.

Jesus did not dismiss anyone's issue by reminding them that everyone had issues. He did not tell the woman with the issue of blood "All issues matter." He did not tell the blind man "What about the men that can't hear?" However, Jesus did deal with each individual issue that the respective person presented to Him. Jesus knew what it was like to be brutalized. He, too, was a victim of police brutality.

During Jesus' persecution, He prayed but He also acted. He addressed His brutalizers. Asking, "Why do you strike me?" demands accountability from the police authorities. African Americans are deserving of an account from police officers on why they continuously kill unarmed Black boys, men, and women. When there is no justice, there is eventually no peace. Looting, rioting, and the killing of police officers are not condoned. However, if protests and marches aren't being 'heard', what is expected to follow? Emotions cannot be policed. The oppressor does not get to choose how the oppressed responds to oppression.

"Violence solves nothing" is often referenced to protesters but has rarely ever been said to irresponsible policemen. Leaders and activists within the movement are often filled with hurt and anger associated with the ongoing systematic murders of blameless, Black people. Compassion is needed, and it requires tact. People are allowed to heal at their own pace.



Conscious and Christian,
Simultaneously.