Police Reform is Needed, Says Retired Police Chief

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/06/11/floyd-killing-police-must-change-former-detroit-chief-column/5341884002/

Illinois Supreme Court Rules Police Misconduct Records Cannot Be Destroyed

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/06/18/illinois-supreme-court-ruling-cpd-records/amp/

Racism: The Failure of the Church

I was going to write a similar blog post, but Dr. Tony Evans says it so much better than I: 

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/15/tony-evans-americas-racial-crisis-is-a-result-of-the-failure-of-the-church-to-deal-with-racism/

What Next?

I participated in a church-led protest last Monday. It was very well attended, and peaceful. The protesters walked about a mile and a half (some of us followed in cars), and others lined the route with signs and clapped. The police did NOT wear riot gear; they blocked off the streets for us, and walked along side.

At the end of the protest, we assembled in a park for a short rally, and ended with a lovely rendition of  We Shall Overcome. It was a beautiful, powerful time.

I support continued, peaceful protests. Society must know this is a serious issue. People are forgetful, and busy. They need to be reminded, and often. But after the protests die down, as people get back to work, what should we do next?

One thing we can all do is use our voice. Whatever way God has gifted you, raise your voice against racism, especially systemic racism. Within your own personal circle, speak up when a friend makes a nasty comment, disagree (politely) with that supervisor, let that family member know you don't hold the same opinion. The other person may not change their values, but they may think twice before voicing a derogatory comment to others again. And the less others hear racist comments, the less likely they are to appropriate or reinforce the attitudes behind them.

Another thing we as a society must do is demand police accountability. The systemic problem in police forces is that there are very few consequences for despicable actions, and fellow officers are discouraged from interfering with or reporting a fellow officer. This is the opposite of what should be. The system should cause a fear of discipline in rogue police officers, and their partners should be commended for reining them in. We have to advocate for that change.

For years, well-meaning people (including me) held the attitude that being anti-racist in our own personal lives, doing our best to treat all with equal respect, and teaching our children to do the same, was enough to change the world. While that is all well and good, that is not enough. We must demand more of ourselves, our neighbors, our governments, and our churches. And we must not stop until change is here. 

Chicago Police Reform

https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-george-floyd-protests-arrests-complaints-20200604-dlkaw7xzvjhkrm53vxerptajra-story.html

Just Be Our Allies

Last week, George Floyd was murdered by a white policeman. The ensuing protests, riots, and rage have grieved America's heart.

I first learned about George Floyd through a Facebook post, written by a white female broadcaster. She was horrified. Soon I saw other posts, always the same, outraged people decrying the circumstances of this man's death. My biracial daughter went to a protest in Chicago and was arrested while trying to protect a young black teenager from the policemen's batons. She showed me the bruises on her arm she got from the cops. Thankfully, she is back home and more determined than ever to speak up for justice.

The protests in Chicago have been well-televised, and there are many, many white people participating. I have heard the horror stories from my daughter of unequal treatment from the police, so I'm more aware than some about what can happen to black people. Not all police are bad, but the ones that are taint the whole force. It makes me sad and angry to think that some evil people have the power to abuse others, and to get away with it. Derek Chauvin, the man who murdered George Floyd, had multiple complaints against him, all of which were dismissed. George Floyd was failed by many, including the heads of the police department in Minneapolis.

But George Floyd, and many others who have died or been abused by the police, have been failed by society at large, particularly white society. We need to stand with our black brothers and sisters, we need to cry out, continually, for change, until that change is here. Human hearts need to change, but only God can do that. We can pray for people to change, for God to work upon their hearts, but we also need to demand that those who are responsible for committing evil be held accountable.

I told my daughter,  who is active in Black Lives Matter, that white people are frustrated and angry, and feel helpless, because they don't know what to do. She told me, "Just be our allies, that's all we want". 

That I will try to do. And I will use my voice to advocate for change, to demand change, to ask our human systems to restore accountability, to fight the tendency to gloss over seemingly small sins until they grow into something horrific and reprehensible, like the death of George Floyd. Let us do our best to make sure all people are treated equally under the law, by society, by the church, by teachers, by employers, by landlords and realtors, by all.