Our church wrapped up a sermon series entitled “You Asked for It” – a mini-series the topics of which were chosen from congregant responses. The final sermon was on racial tension. There was a panel of ethnic diversity.
One black woman shared that she feared having to talk to her 3 sons about the dangers of going to a convenience store & being mistaken for a thug & getting shot – she specifically mentioned the demi-god-king Trayvon (who, btw remains…dead).
People groups exhibit behavior that over time, produce desired results or the lack of those results.
I had several appointments yesterday: one with a white man who was five minutes late…but called me to inform me of such. Another appointment, with a black man, was ½ an hour late & when I called him, informed me that due to car trouble, we’d have to reschedule – he made no attempt to call me – I dialed the phone.
A Latino person from Peru once told me that, on the topic of being late, his culture simply just is…late. I told him that that’s why you’re a 3rd world country & I represent a 1st world country – not race…habits.
The black folk of Baltimore exhibit habits that better represent feral animals than human beings…and those habits produce negative results. Yet when they’re shot or beaten or maligned…they attempt to shift the blame via a victim mentality.
Trayvon Martin didn’t simply go to a convenience store – he was looking for trouble, found it & was shot as a result.
What are we teaching our young people?
Maybe let’s ask LaVar Ball.