Today the leader of the free world spoke about how "this could have been him 35 years ago". And after reading the article on MSNBC, I had to agree to some extent. My Pastor is a black man and I happen to know that because of the color of his skin, people (depending on the neighborhood) have shown the type of behavior exemplified in what the media has been touting since Zimmerman was found not guilty.
I believe that what happened was a tragic loss of life that should never have happened. I believe Zimmerman was stupid and acted out of stupidity and disregard for another human being. In my opinion he acted irresponsibly with his own life, because it could have turned out the other way. But, the Judicial system that our Country has, said not guilty, and that is to be respected to a high degree. I have a son with cancer and the thought of losing him terrifies me. Now, I also understand what it is like to lose a family member to senseless violence. With a firearm, and in a restaurant. My stepbrother wasn't black, he was half Mexican, and the "crush" of my life. Now, the difference I see here is, did we rile up the city against each other because of what happened? Did we cause riot or strife in our grief? Did we bring up race or color of skin? I reply with a resounding NO!
I grew up in the hood. My friends were Native American and most of them were Black, and my "Aunt" was black; and her kids were my cousins (not blood but close enough!) You might say my family was "color-blind". We lived by judging people by their character, not the color of their skin.
There is no amount of political agenda or riot or anything negative, that will bring back to life this young man. I grieve with his family.
But, in America, thousands of underprivileged young people are exploited, murdered and sold for human trafficking because of the blind eye of your everyday joe-schmoe. And those in power refuse to raise a hand to help (of course this is my own observation and opinion). Will harder gun laws stop violence with a firearm? That's like saying alcoholics will stop killing people with their cars. Bad people do bad things with whatever they have because why? Because they do not have a respect for human life.
What I see happening here is not compassion for this young man or the hell his parents are going through. I see an agenda to push legislation through that some people were not able to in the first place.
I also see women being forced back into silence from their abusers because they will no longer be able to legally, justifiably, protect themselves with a firearm. I say this because the talk of the day is going against the "stand your ground" law. When I grew up, you just plain protected yourself and the justice system weighed the circumstances, period. Seems we have a name for everything these days.
"Balance" cannot be legislated. Personal Accountability and Responsibility cannot be legislated. Turning Americans against one another is not the answer.
What we need to be doing is living our lives by EXAMPLE, in true Honor, Integrity, Loyalty and Courage. How do we do that? One person at a time. You see, Personal Accountability and Responsibility is moment by moment for a lifetime. Future generations are counting on us to lead the way. But if we lead the way with a legislative leash around our necks, all you will get is rebellion and division.
Let's start figuring out WHO we are as individuals before we dictate how others should be. You are not going to be able to embrace the individuality of others or absorb their weaknesses if you don't confront yourself. History has great examples to follow: Jesus, Gandihi, Martin Luther King Jr.; it's not impossible. Personally, I am a follower of Jesus; but I learn many things from great men like I previously mentioned. They LIVED it, they walked the talk.
In closing let me say this. Division can only cause degeneration and degradation, but Unity will be the solution for a multitude of issues of the day.
Let us reason together in our grief. Not only for this young man, but for everyone who is suffering in our Great Land we call America. Let's be the solution, not the problem.
Just a thought... ~M
