Violence: From Ferguson to Rochester

I have been reluctant to talk about the recent violent activities that have been happening around the country in the urban neighborhoods, in #Ferguson, MO and in my hometown of #Rochester, NY.  I guess I’ve been reluctant to speak because of the numbness that continued violence brings.  However, I feel the need to address my thoughts and concerns over the latest and continued violence that has plagued our communities, our families, our minds, our hearts, our television and social media outlets over the past several weeks.

#Ferguson:   I’ll start off by speaking about Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO.  It saddens me that our black men are being executed by Law Enforcement and so called wannabe Law Enforcement, i.e., George Zimmerman, without a care in the world for them as a human being.  I use the term ours because we all are Americans and most importantly we are all GOD’s children whether you like it or not.  All black men are just as equal as the next man and deserve the same respect and honor.  Law Enforcement is suppose to “Protect and Serve” not Seek and Eliminate.  Such Officers that have a disregard for life are criminals disguised as Officers and don’t deserve to hold such positions.  There is something terribly wrong with such actions and anyone that can’t see this, regardless of your race, has real deep-rooted hatred for mankind. Michael Brown left behind his beloved family, friends and his future.

#Rochester:  Rochester, NY my hometown sees its fair share of violence.  Two years ago, I lost my cousin, Lawrence Richardson to said violence.  Unfortunately, the violence continues and not just civilians shooting civilians.  On Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Officer Daryl Pierson of the Rochester Police Department was shot by a suspect(whom is an actual criminal) during a pursuit to apprehend the suspect. Unfortunately, Officer Pierson succumbed to the injury that he sustained that night.  Just like the shooting of Michael Brown, the shooting of Officer Pierson troubles me as well.  Again, our brother was shot and killed by a criminal while doing his job. There is no reason for such violence against an Officer.  Our community, just like all communities need Police Officers in order to truly “Protect and Serve,” just as Officer Pierson was doing that night for the city of Rochester.  So often Police Officers are labeled as bad, untrustworthy, corrupt and hated by the community because they don’t do their job.  But what happens when an Officer is in fact doing their job and gets gunned down by a criminal?  How does the community feel then?  Just like anyone else that is a victim to violence, Officer Pierson leaves behind family and friends.  He left to cherish his memory two very young children, a 4 year old that he took to school that very same day for the first day of school and a three 3 month old daughter, his wife, along with other family and friends, and probably most importantly his children’s future.  

           

            My final thoughts conclude on the basis of life.  I’d like to believe that we all were placed on this earth to make the world a better place, not to take the life of another human being.  Regardless of if it’s a Police Officer shooting and killing an unarmed man or a suspect shooting and killing a Police Officer, they both are evil acts.  Some will say that the two incidents can’t be compared and I agree to a certain extent.  However, I feel they both are the same because two lives were lost. I’ve seen comments on social media sites regarding both of these matters in which people suggest that Michael Brown was a criminal and displayed criminal actions by stealing prior to his death to now cops know how we the people feel when they shoot and kill someone.  I disagree with both of these points of view because someone lost their life and their family lost a loved one.  People with these feelings clearly don’t have any regard for the life of another individual because if they did, such thoughts wouldn’t even come across their minds.  Life is love and love is living and in order to truly live we must love one another.  In order to love one another we must TRULY BELIEVE IN GOD because when you TRULY BELIEVE IN GOD, there is no place for hatred. 

            I conclude with a prayer to not only these two families but to all families that have lost loved ones as a result of violence.  Father God, bless the families that have suffered the lost of their loved ones at the hands of another. You have given us Free Will but that Free Will has caused so many to use it to harm others.  Let your Will replace those that use their freedom to impose harm to others.  May we find it in our hearts to forgive, to bridge the gap between races and authority so that we can live peacefully amongst each other.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.