Here in America we are discussing the recent arrest and release of Henry Louis Gates and his meeting on Thursday with President Obama and Officer Crowley over a glass of beer at the White House. Amid questions of racial profiling and who over-reacted against whom, it’s interesting that no one involved, neither Gates, nor Obama, nor Crowley, has admitted fault. If this meeting is for reconciliation and racial healing, doesn’t someone need to confess that they were wrong and ask for forgiveness?
If President Obama wants to make this what he called a “teachable moment,” he should confess that he was wrong for saying the police “acted stupidly” and ask for forgiveness. Then he should invite Gates and Crowley to ask forgiveness for whatever wrong they did to the other. If this were to occur, this meeting on Thursday could be a defining, pivotal moment in race relations, where white and black folks come together to confess their sins and be reconciled to each other. But without such humble confession and repentance, this “teachable moment” will be wasted on teaching the wrong kind of lesson.
joyce on September 15, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I am thankful for a forum that allows me to share my thoughts and experiences. I grew up being taught to respect authority, but as I have matured, I see that authority figures are human beings who may be unable to recognize personal prejudices or to control their biases. Some actually relish being able to abuse their authority.
In college, I heard of a professor who graded partly based on participation, but he would deliberately refuse to call on minority students. As an honor student at this Christian university, I sat directly in front of the professor about two feet from his desk, and I raised my hand to participate in discussions at each session. His reputation proved correct as he ignored me and other minority students.
Now, I live in a large city where the police have been documented for falsely accusing and arbitrarily arresting minorities — including moms and the elderly– for drunk driving. The local newspaper shed light on this practice and thereby has helped reduce this profiling. When an independent reviewer found increased complaints of police abuses and asked for more authority to investigate complaints, she was dismayed when her powers were reduced instead, and she eventually resigned. A policeman’s family member was going to take over her position until the newspaper discovered the conflict of interest. Without access to facts from the watchdogs of society, what would be the chances of correcting an injustice?
It is sadly ironic when Christians go on mission trips to help those abroad who are oppressed financially or politically, but return with little or no understanding of the oppression that still exists here in America. I am not belittling missions work. Nor am I unthankful for the rights and freedoms that can be enjoyed here in America in contrast to some other countries. However, I am saying that America has room to grow in the areas of racism and justice.
As Christians, we are to make sure we provide justice. “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Prov. 21:3. Whether it is the president of the United States, a professor, or a police officer, we need to look at the facts of each case and not accord credibility based solely on the office held.
Nor should we accord sympathy based on a position. It is undoutedly difficult to perform law enforcement duties, and to hear an accusation of racism when it is undeserved. Conversely it is difficult to live with abuses of authority.
This incident allows for discussion as to how things can be better, so America’s light can shine even brighter.