“Love your enemies & pray for those who terrorize you.” -Matthew 5:44 There is only one way to cure Blue Supremacy. Weapons will not work. No one is going to outgun them. Politics will not work. Politicians will always support them. Protests will not work. Shutting such actions down are easy for them. None of the classic responses work. We have seen it over and over again. There is only one way. We have to meet violence with... Read more
There is salvation from Blue Supremacy. Follow the Roman Road. Romans 3:23 “…all of the Blue have fallen short of their duties.” Romans 3:10 “The Blue cannot fix the Blue…” Romans 5:12 “Brutality entered the Blue through one officer…brutality continues through all officers…because all have pledged allegiance to the Blue…” Romans 6:23 “The brutality of the Blue leads to death…but the gift of God is life…” Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates love for us…by... Read more
Since last year, I’ve repeatedly seen churches hold praise/gratitude services for local law enforcement. Like most churches, worship is at the center of the experience. The only difference is that these churches are worshiping the blue. In the space, God is dead in yet another instance of police brutality. One cannot serve two masters. Will it be the blue or will it be God? Blue supremacy is idolatry at its’ deadliest. Churches have become a bastion of violence. God... Read more
For the past year, I’ve seen this flag. Each time, I am reminded that it is the blue lives that actually matter. In countless encounters, the message was loud and clear…only blue is supreme. I was there when five police officers died. I still grieve for their families. With such affirmed, I am disgusted by how law enforcement has used and abused the memory of their fellow officers to ravenously seek more power. Did the lives of these five... Read more
Repeatedly, I’ve stood in front of cameras and audiences to loudly declare to white people, “If you don’t engage in the struggle against police brutality, the next tragedy will be yours.” Yesterday, it was. Not long after calling 911 to report a possible sexual assault, Justine Ruszczyk-Damond was gunned down by one of the responding Minneapolis police officers, a Somali Muslim immigrant named Mohamed Noor. By all accounts, Justine was a beautiful person…loved by everyone who knew her. There... Read more
*Originally in Dallas Morning News on July 7, 2017 Life is a peculiar thing. Occasionally, you find yourself in places you never expected. The allure of something more pulls you further. Then, the world explodes. I watched last year as police put Alton Sterling down like an animal. The video played over and over again. I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t walk away. We began to organize a march against police brutality in Dallas. Before our preparations... Read more
*The previous iteration of this post was unintentionally hurtful. In the rush of writing, I assumed things that were not true. For these errors/sins, I am truly sorry. In the future, I dedicate myself to navigating/mediating my thoughts more carefully. The last week of my life has been filled with murder. I started the week thinking about the murder of young Shavon Randle. That a child would be murdered over drugs is beyond disgusting. Can you... Read more
Delivered after the July 7 shooting at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton, Texas on July 10, 2016. It’s been a very busy time. Just a few days ago, I organized the rally and march that preceded the deaths of five police officers in Dallas. This morning I want to journey through the story of Dallas and end with in the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. On Wednesday, I partnered with others to organize the protest. We were... Read more
God is truth. We are not. The mortal search for truth is continuous. The fullness of truth is never found in this life. Those who believe otherwise are perpetuators of that which is false. Often, I meet these assumed keepers of truth. I was exchanging small talk to a police officer. Then, he realized who I was. For a moment or two, we talked about what that night in Dallas was like. Before we left, he said, “If... Read more
Earlier today, I took my kids to the park. While they were playing, I noticed a mom disciplining her child. When the child refused to do what she asked, the mom slapped the child across the face. Immediately, my son Jeff screamed, “You shouldn’t treat someone you love like that!” My heart was filled with pride. He’d listened to our teachings about speaking up for the abused. Though the woman acted like she was ignoring Jeff, she heard him.... Read more
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