The mere question posed on a social networking site last night had me in tears.
To people who don't have a brown-skinned husband or son, this might seem like a ridiculous question. To those of us who do, it's a very real question and one we find ourselves asking every time we hear of young men like Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Jonathan Ferrell and Jordan Davis. This issue makes me feel both deep grief and deep anger.
As I sit here and think of times when my husband has been racially profiled I'm forced to consider the next inevitable questions. I have to wonder if my sweet boy will ever cause another white woman to hold her purse a little tighter. I have to think through when we'll have to have a talk with our son warning him of how to interact with law enforcement officers should they ever stop to question him. I have to wonder if I'll ever get that life-altering phone call that so many mothers of young black men in our country have received concerning their sons.
At times it feels overwhelming and even hopeless but I refuse to let myself believe that there isn't hope. I think about the progress we've made as a country and specifically several exchanges that I've witnessed lately that lead me to believe that change is still coming. Here are three reasons I'm not feeling hopeless in light of the latest verdict:
1. Last year, our city held a forum on race sparked by the exoneration of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin and the racial tensions that were illuminated by that case. This forum was both honest and peaceful. It showed that our community acknowledged that there was a problem and that citizens in our city were interested in being part of the solution.
2. For the last few months I was able to be part of a diverse group of people who sat and talked candidly about our differences, some preconceived ideas and how the school system could help build bridges across some of those gaps to better reach kids. The group put together an event to help get information to families on what resources are available in our community to better ensure success for ALL local students.
3. A few weeks ago, I sat across from two talented young black men from our community who made choices years ago that they are still paying for today. Also present at this table were a local pastor, businessman, and police officer - all of whom are white. I wasn't really sure what to expect walking in, but what happened around that table has really impacted me - and I think everyone else there as well. In this meeting, I got to hear white men declaring and affirming the worth and dignity of the two black men despite their past choices. I was able to watch stereotypes on both sides of the table being laid aside and men engaging one another as men. Not as black men and white men, but as men created equally in the image of God.
I keep thinking of something our pastor often says - "the ground is level at the foot of the cross." There is no distinction made between rich and poor, white or brown skin, seemingly good or seemingly bad. In God's sight we are humanity and He is deity. No other separations exist that we don't create ourselves. The gospel is the starting place for true, lasting change.
Culturally, Americans are learning to be more politically correct - or careful what thoughts we allow to formulate into words. But God offers another way. The gospel changes hearts and with changed hearts come changed communities and changed standards for people within those communities.
I believe a change is coming. I just pray that change comes before we have to bury another one of our sons.
