HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE TOO QUICK TO JUDGE?
‘Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.’ 1 Peter 4:8
Today marks 90 days in a row of writing. This was a habit I knew I needed to form but unsure how to do it. When I researched, “how to be a better writer,” I kept reading the same thing — “write every single day. No days off.” That’s what I’ve been doing. If you have a goal or dream of doing something, start small, be consistent and watch what happens.
I’ve been diving into my own education on all things regarding racism. I’ve been reading and listening to podcasts regarding the history of racism, white fragility, black lives matter and everything in between. What has been most eye opening is reading and listening to black authors and voices directly.
Not sure WHY I never thought of that before? Gee Anthony, why don’t you take time to HEAR all sides of the story. I missed it or better phrase, “I didn’t care enough.”
I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to hear both sides of the story. As I was cycling on my bike this morning at 5:02am (that’s WAY TOO early), I was thinking exactly about this. As I thought about it — this verse in the Bible popped in my head.
‘The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.’ Proverbs 18:17
This verse hit me in the face like like a baton filled with tear gas. Over the next five minutes, I literally began to repeat the verse on my ride — thinking — pondering — hurting. This verse is our current situation.
The story seems to keep going like this, “black man shot and killed— no suspects.” Then, as we have come to find out, “his neighbor” decides to question the situation. Then, what happens is — video begins to surface. What started as a definitive, “black man shot and killed — no suspects,” turns into “cops kills another black male.”
I wonder as white people how often we do the same as we gaze upon injustice? I wonder if we jump too quick to make a decision or verdict when we don’t know what “his neighbor” has to say? When you see the protests and cry for justince on behalf of Tamir Rice, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others — do you judge too quickly?
It’s disgusting that certain people will watch the video of George Floyd suffocating to death, then tell their friends, “it’s because he was resisting arrest,” or “you know he once held a woman up at gun point.” What about, he’s a human being killed by cops for NO reason?
I realized the other day how true this statement is, “whatever you seek, you will find.”
This can be for good or evil. You can see the good in someone or the bad, it’s all relative on WHAT you seek. I will see George Floyd as a man robbed of his rights as a human being. He never was convicted, never had a trial, it’s tragic.
Right now it’s not as much about what side you are on, but are you doing your own homework.
Here’s a good question to ask yourself, “are you listening to as many black voices on these issues as you are white?” Here’s another one, “which voices grab your attention more?”
The answers to those questions will help unlock ways to move forward. Everyone deserves to have their side of the story told. Everyone deserves justice. Everyone deserves respect and love.
One more thing. These are a few of the podcasts I’ve been listening to. They’ve got me in tears at times. I hope they can be of help as they were to me.
