Philando Castile is another victim who, though seeming to do everything right, was judged and sentenced to death.
It is sad to hear this story first-hand. My wife Tiffany and I flew down as fast as possible after learning of the shooting because we made a pact to not just watch the news, but to show up and do what good we can. Yesterday we went to ground zero at the Governor’s mansion where the protesters gathered.
My phone started to ring with calls from friends who knew Philando. Several expressed that he was a nerd in school and he has never been in trouble. One person from his high school class, Autumn Rush, said, “He was the furthest thing from aggressive.”
Sometimes Black people are blamed for allegedly setting a precedent of violence. There are about 40 million African-Americans in America and 490,000 are reportedly in gangs. However, it seems that most attention goes to those 490,000. The U.S. Department of Education has reported the highest-educated person in America is the African-American woman, and that African-American men have more degrees than White men. Do not just take my word for it, do your research: but it seems that educated Blacks rarely get good press. (Even my privilege of writing this article was generated from negative press.)
It is sad that when a person is Black, time must be spent presenting a “non-thug” resume before other cultures will give said person the benefit of the doubt. And, even then, the benefit of the doubt is not guaranteed.
As an African-American male I live under a constant threat of being mistreated or killed by the police. It is unfortunate, but I always remember that in the early days of this nation many police departments were formed to catch runaway slaves. Can any organization totally detach itself from its foundational culture? So, I am careful with all police officers: White, Black, Latino, Asian. My friends currently serving as officers have said we develop an “us against them” attitude.
Different White friends that I speak to quickly go to the “Well, she did not catch the whole thing on tape” argument. It seems they assume Philando was riding home with his girlfriend Diamond Reynolds and her four-year-old daughter, and out the blue he decided to turn rogue and become a Rambo-esque, cop-killing machine. Folks, I do not think so! That thought pattern shows the starting point is too often that, unless you “catch” an officer on video, the officer is exonerated. This view is hurtful, but I know most White people do not even realize they are raised and conditioned to view Black civilians as being the guilty party.
I go into deep prayer when I am pulled over with guns drawn in my face. Most White people have never experienced that. I have experienced that while wearing a suit. Often my discourse with the police is spent trying to de-escalate the situation, proving I am not a threat, and then slowly reciting my every intended move in order to reduce the risk of being shot. This is a sad way to live as a Black pastor in America. This is a sad way for anyone to live.
People are angry here in Minnesota, and often a speech away from going violent. I am here to be a peacemaker.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).”
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SOURCE: The Christian Post
Dimas Salaberrios
BCNN1 WP 