“Understanding The Riots”: By Thoughtfully Addressing the Hopeless, Powerless, Reckless, and Useless Community Reaction to Systemic Injustice

"Street Justice" seeks retribution through reckless and sometimes even vain pursuits, because of a feeling, perception and undeserved outcome in being powerless and unfairly subjected to a law enforcement system traditionally known for bias, injustice and prejudice that's disproportionately perpetrated on a certain group of people (black folks) which have historically been marginalized, profiled and targeted by inaction, unjust laws, and "hit and miss" attempts at "justice".

And to make the situation worse, the bleeding wounds of the community that further exacerbates "the slow wheel of justice", produces a paralyzing immobility — where the correct application of the law, is grossly lacking, arbitrary and insufficient to heal the past, present or future wounds and battle scars, which emboldens more anger, hurt and defeat in communities that can't afford unnecessary RIOTS..

Am I personally disappointed by the riots?

Am I ashamed of the response of my community, ethnically speaking?

Why aren't I (my family) being destructive and riotous like others in my ethnic community?

Let me share some REAL NEWS from my own life through a story that happened in 1984..

"In a case of mistaken identity, a 69-year-old man..."

AMARILLO, Texas -- In a case of mistaken identity, a 69-year-old man was shot and killed early today by police who were trying to serve an armed robbery warrant on someone else.

The victim, identified as Woodrow Gaither, was killed at 3:45 a.m. when he fired several shots while attempting to flee from his northwest Amarillo home after police had surrounded it, believing an armed robbery suspect was inside.

Gaither fired several shots at officers before he was hit.

'For 30 minutes, our officers knocked at his door with no response,' said Chief of Police Jerry Neal in a morning news conference. 'Finally a suspect ran from the back of the residence.'

The officers said they identified themselves and ordered Gaither to halt. Instead, the man turned and began firing shots, hitting officer Charles Shields in the ear and neck, Neal said.

Shields' partner, Brent Womble, then fired a single shot, instantly killing Gaither, the chief said.

It was later learned Gaither was not the suspect listed in the arrest warrant.

Police Friday could not explain why Gaither ran from his home or fired at police. Initial checks indicated Gaither had no criminal record.

The wounded officer was treated and released at Northwest Texas Hospital."   https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/09/28/In-a-case-of-mistaken-identity-a-69-year-old-man/8093465192000/   (End of article)

LISTEN: There are so many "rocks", "soapboxes" and "factually based opinions" on what should be the proper response of the black community during incidences like this, and I dare not compete or attempt to wax eloquent like some of the impressive words or political rants that will follow these sad and painful events...

My GOAL in sharing my thoughts this morning, is to simply express my concerns and my heartfelt condolences to ANYONE that has personally suffered at the hands of imperfect "human justice" or societal injustice, which deeply pierces the heart and dampens the spirit; if we allow the process or the rhetoric that surrounds it, to fatally bludgeon our souls with deep sorrow and grief!

'Well, shouldn't 'your community" (black folks) be focused on: "black on black crime"; dilapidated communities; prison reform; etc etc?  You all seem to have your hands full already, to then turn around and destroy your own communities with looting and rioting; as if that's going to change, fix or heal anything.."

I partly agree.. Except, the "state of black communities (in part) have deep historical roots that cannot be blindly passed off as "community dysfunction", without genuinely understanding the "root of the fruit" being harvested and revealed, that still shows the deepness of the wounds that need healing; but, where do we start..?!?

Well, what's "the answer"?

Improve race relations..

Black Self-Empowerment..

Legislative Action..

Police Accountability, Training and More Severe Punishments..

Race wars..

Each "camp" will have their own CONVICTIONS, PLATITUDES, and REMEDIES, but as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I believe that there's only "one universal solution" that we can "do together" that addresses multiple fronts, while also laying the groundwork for true racial reconciliation and societal transformation over such critical issues that must be addressed constructively; if we don't self-destruct and decimate one another with our temporal remedies, that truly don't change "US"..

This morning, I want to tell you what happened as I began to listen and journal..

I remembered my mother receiving a call in the middle of the night when I was eleven years old about my maternal grandfather, Woodrow Gaither, being gunned down in his own home.

Then, I had little to no emotion, because I didn't know him that well. I mean, I remember spending time with him; and visiting his home. But, I had no real heartfelt memories to recall; since we were a military family that had moved and traveled to different military bases my who life; up to that point.

But THIS MORNING, when the Holy Spirit reminded me of his name and this story, I googled and found it without issue; and it was the first article I saw on the page..(WOW!)

As I read, tears began to stream down my face.  And, NOW I know the reason why God won't allow me to get caught up in the moment; with my own hurt and anger over the loss of George Floyd.  I need to take every breath and all my energy to "add to the conversation", and not further detract from it with ignorance, negativity or pedantic social media responses that contrives irrational reactions; that don't truly translate into seeking for or after justice,  at all!

More too come..Copyright May 29, 2020 to WS-3.

PRAY for the family and friends of George Floyd, the accused officers, and our country! WS-3

Walter L. Smith III

Founder/President

Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc./

The Center For Kingdom Advancement 

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Rochester, MN 55901-9998

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