I saw this link and went to Benjamin Watson’s Facebook site. He is a tight end for the New Orleans Saints. I have to admit I’d not heard of him prior to this, but I think it’s about the best statement I’ve seen on the Ferguson tragedy.
At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I’M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I’M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I’M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I’m a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a “threat” to those who don’t know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I’M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.
I’M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.
I’M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn’t there so I don’t know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I’M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I’ve seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I’M CONFUSED, because I don’t know why it’s so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don’t know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I’M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take “our” side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it’s us against them. Sometimes I’m just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that’s not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That’s not right.
I’M HOPELESS, because I’ve lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I’m not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I’M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it’s a beautiful thing.
I’M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
Okay, that’s about the best summary I’ve seen.
Wow, just Wow. That just about says it all. What I see most in this comment is honesty. Perhaps being honest with ourselves about who we are and what we feel is a good starting point.
This is really good.
UGA guy. Here’s a paragraph about him:
“In addition to playing football, Watson and his wife established One More, a nonprofit organization designed to “spread the love and hope of Christ to one more soul,” in 2008. Watson says he hopes the organization will be a part of his legacy, and something that will help teach his children the importance of serving others. “Part of our mission as parents is to instill the message of giving in our children. Spreading the love of Christ – the (name of the foundation refers to) one more soul – we can always do something for one more person. It grows exponentially.”
He can be forgiven for being an SEC guy. Other stuff outweighs that failing.
Dave,
Great catch. This is a tremendous article. It communicates my thought far better than I have communicated my own thoughts. I think it really speaks to where born-again right hearted folks are. I hope it gets a large readership.
Yeah, when I read it I was pretty impressed.
With 245, 484 shares (at this writing), I’d say it’s on the way to getting a large readership.
I shared it. In fact, Miller probably got it from me.
😉
This article is nearing 3000 page views on this site alone today.
I did see it on Facebook, but I don’t remember who I saw it from, Dr. Cline.
He who is without the designated hitter rule, let him cast the first stone.
The DH is a virtue.
Isaiah 5:20.
The DH Rule is for wussies and Yankees but alas, I repeat myself.
Thanks Dave for sharing. This moved me deeply! Mr. Watson has a new fun in the game of football and most certainly, life.
Eloquent.
Thanks for this one Dave. The bottom line in all of life’s mess is our Blessed Hope and Benjamin is a sweet smelling savor of Christ. (I trust he will not take the title of your post personally. We should beware of sterotyping vocations as well as skin color. There are some some scholarly football players with hearts as big as their bench press).
Thanks again. This was very encouraging.
Wow. I am encouraged by reading this.
Thank you. I agree with all of your feelings and thoughts. Very well written and articulated. I often wonder why any and all senseless murders, violence, destruction of private property and businesses does not bring the public outrage that these young men’s death has brought in the public scene. Yet, there are senseless murders, violence and destruction that does not see the kind of public reaction and media coverage of the young men mentioned in your post. I fully believe your last paragraph sums up the problem (sin) and the answer (Jesus Christ). The Bible says, “man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.” Racism is wrong regardless of the color and the only healing for it is the transformation of the heart that comes from the efficacy of the shed blood of Jesus applied to the repentant person by the Holy Spirit. I cannot fathom the pain, hurt and grief of the parents who have lost their sons at the beginning of their adult lives but I struggle to know or find the answer to the problem of young men, stealing, resisting and even fighting with police. I also struggle to know and find the answer to police who mishandle their authority and use unnecessary force. In the finality of it all God makes the final judgement and His justice is perfect and complete and I pray, “Dear Lord, please help our nation and help us repent to You, and love you and each other.”
Good read. Thank’s for posting it, Dave Miller.
This was good, and it shows the kind of student/athletes that we have playing on SEC teams.
David
Oh come on. Surely there are at least ten saved people in all of the B1G?? 😛
Wow, somebody finally mentioned that 3-letter word! In all the noise about Ferguson, I kept waiting for a preacher to do it but a football player will do. The best one-liner of all to stick on refrigerator doors across America: “The problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem.” And the cure is indeed the Gospel … preach it Brother Watson!