“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only Love Can Do That.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Normally my Thursday Story Time posts are humorous, but my heart is heavy after watching the video of a man being murdered by police officers in Minnesota. Yes I said murdered because the man was already down on the ground, in handcuffs, and could not do anything. The officers could have placed him in the car and gone to the station but persisted in callous abuse of a helpless human being. The officers standing by were equally guilty for not intervening. I hope all of them are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under 1st Degree Murder charges.
It sickens me to know that my friends who are African American worry about their sons going out for simple things like going to the store. It causes me to think about Lorenzo my best friend in 7th grade.
“We Must Learn to Live Together As Brothers Or Perish Together As Fools.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
My first realization of how hideously ugly racism is happened when I was 12 years old. My paternal grandfather was a racist. I was not aware of it when I was a little kid but something happened that opened my eyes.
When I was 12 years old and in 7th grade, my best friend at school was Lorenzo. As a 12 year old I had my best friend on my street, another best friend in Boy Scouts, but at school it was Lorenzo. Our lockers were next to each other the whole school year. We shared treats with each other. I visited his home a few times where his grandmother had cookies ready and waiting for us. Lorenzo and I laughed a lot as most boys do when they are 12. Lorenzo also happened to be the only African American kid in the school.
That was not an issue for me until one day I was in my grandfather’s car as he was driving. He pointed out the African Americans and used the N word saying there is one. It bothered me so I told him, “grandpa my best friend is black.” He never gave me a birthday present again. In his mind I was the black sheep of the family. I had defied him and his racism.
Racism is a terrible sin against God and our fellow human beings. It is saying to God that some people are inferior which is an insult to our Creator who loves all people equally. There is beauty in diversity of people. God in his artistry created us different, but we are all beautiful to him.
To put it bluntly, Jesus would not be welcome by a racist because he would have had an olive complexion while on earth along with probably black hair. I say that because he was born to a Mediterranean Jewish woman.
There is no room for racism in the Christian faith.
Lorenzo moved away after 7th grade. I never saw him again but have never forgotten him and pray for him when he comes to mind. I wonder how he is doing. I am so thankful he was my best friend in 7th grade.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
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