On May 25, a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of a hand-cuffed and unarmed black man named George Floyd. This officer pinned Mr. Floyd’s neck to the ground for nearly nine
minutes, even as Mr. Floyd pleaded with the officer, gasping “I can’t breathe.” Mr. Floyd is now dead at the age of 46.
This was a horrible and inexcusable death. It represented total disregard for the lives of black and
brown people. It showcased the toxic and violent racism that has for so long plagued this country. It was met with overwhelming grief and rage.
We know that cities around the world have erupted in protests. Many of the scenes we see, sometimes in our own communities, are frightening. We wonder what will come next.
As a people of faith, the church is called to lead in this moment. But, such leadership must begin with a
grounding in reality. Racism, white supremacy, and its attendant violence, did not just emerge in this country in this past week. The grief of black and brown communities did not just begin with the death of George Floyd. That grief and pain have long been stoked by structural racism and white institutional violence directed against communities of color. Such violence has cost untold lives. As
a nation, we have too often been complacent.
In a well-known passage in the Book of Luke, Jesus is weeping over the city of Jerusalem. Luke 19:41 says,
"As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace.”
The things that make for peace are clear. They are:
- An unequivocal commitment to dismantling racism.
- Compassion and dignity for all people, no matter the color of their skin.
- The rejection of divisiveness and hatred, and a commitment to loving our neighbor as we love our selves.
- Our hearts directed toward justice, reconciliation and peace.
Please continue to pray for the family of George Floyd, for communities of color in this country and around the globe, for Minneapolis and all of the cities experiencing protests. Please also pray that government leaders will seek to deal with this crisis with wisdom and compassion. And, pray for our church, and for the people called United Methodist, that we would know and do the things that make for peace.
Rev. Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai