You probably heard about this story.
Christopher Lane died needlessly in Oklahoma, one more person in our society murdered. The reports are distressing. The lack of high-profile response in our African-American community is discouraging, again.
This post is intended to transcend mere race. Anytime an innocent person is killed because of malicious, criminal behavior, it's heartbreaking. We see so often if the victim is a minority, certain well-known citizens gladly step forward to seek justice and loudly proclaim their dissatisfaction with the justice system. However, when those committing the crime are minorities, those self-styled leaders are strangely silent. They seemingly can't be found. Maybe I don't watch enough news, or don't follow the right people on Twitter.
If those leaders are speaking up when minorities are committing crimes, and I missed hearing those censures, that's on me to do better in looking out for those occurrences.
Ultimately, when an innocent person is hurt or killed, we are all diminished. We find ourselves fighting against the growing, irrational fear that grips much of the nation. The distrust of those who don't look like we do is growing, eroding the very fabric of the country. I, for one, am sick of having to deal with an America that won't reach its true potential because so many live in fear, and react in irrational ways because of that fear.
For me, I would love to see the Jacksons and Sharptons speak out when a black male is witnessed committing a crime or confirmed guilty beyond doubt in a murder case. I want to see the Jacksons and Sharptons speak out for all Americans when it comes to defending the law-abiding citizens who just want to live peaceably with all persons. I want to see the Jacksons and Sharptons speak up for right, every single time. They have a pulpit in the public discourse. They can use it for an even broader good, reaching further than ever before.
Yes, Christopher Lane wasn't the only person killed in America last week. Of course, none of us will know the names of every individual murdered in a particular period. Nonetheless, we can attempt to insure their deaths weren't in vain. We can continue standing up to protect the innocents.
This is one African-American man who grieves a bit anytime an innocent person is hurt or murdered, regardless of what they look like.
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