It finally happened; Derek Chauvin was convicted of the heinous death of George Floyd. The callousness with which he held him under his knee was palpable as people watched the eight-minute and forty-six-second video. Many had no idea that Mr. Floyd was subdued under Mr. Chauvin’s knee for nearly ten minutes. This and so much more was uncovered during the trial to the shock of those brave enough to watch.
Watching a trial like this is an emotional drain, and not-guilty verdicts in cases like these are the root of the multi-generational trauma many black citizens carry. We have seen black people killed and brutalized on video by police officers with impunity for years. In the last decade, black Americans have seemingly become the target of heinous murders surrounded by murky details and circumstances.
Even with the whole interaction filmed, police officers have faced little to no professional consequences or jail time. When police veteran Kim Potter killed Daunte Wright, she resigned before charges were filed. By now, citizens know that a resignation guarantees that officers can receive their pension after an investigation clears them. Once fired, an officer loses it all, something rarely seen in these cases.
The use of force against black people is not new. Law enforcement beat back the advancement of black citizens crossing the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama, known as “Bloody Sunday.” The inception of policing in America was after slavery as “slave patrols” and, if you look closely at some departments in America, the modus operandi is still the same. Citizens are seen as trespassers in the wrong neighborhood, criminals driving a stolen car beyond their means, or breachers of peace when demanding to know why they are being obtained.
Black citizens are often brutalized during encounters with officers while their white counterparts struggle and fight with arresting officers before being apprehended. Police officers have proven time and time again that they can use restraint, even in the most arduous situations. Why force is the initial response so often, we can’t help but suggest the attribution of systemic or even personal racism.
This case appealed to the sensibilities of humanity. The defense debated that everyone saw what they saw. Watching the video, you saw a man’s merciless death- an irrefutable fact. Chauvin’s remorseless defiance seemingly withered away as he invoked his fifth amendment right when it came time for him to speak for himself.
Waiting for the verdict was reminiscent of the George Zimmerman verdict. You just knew everything was in place to win a conviction, but the unease of a possible acquittal was just too much to bear. Unlike the Zimmerman verdict, Minneapolis got it right and to be frank, America HAD to get this right! In finding him guilty, the process begins of making it right, though it nor the historic civil settlement can make the Floyd family whole. America cannot shrink back and inhibit the process of reforming law enforcement.
Now is not the time to put citizens on the back burner once again. Police officers are not foot soldiers and cannot continue to terrorize the communities they are sworn to both protect and serve with impunity. This includes intimidation on the road such as: following behind drives for extended distances and running their license plates when they pull up behind them. The community doesn’t know who will respond to their 911 distress calls. Because they don’t know the responding officers and the officers don’t know them, officers like Aaron Dean impulsively shoot before asking questions. Tragic interactions like these have deprived the neighborhood, the greater community, and the world of a gift such as Atatiana Jefferson.
This is where you hear that not all police officers are ‘bad cops’. This is also where you will be reminded that not all black people are bad.
Far too often, injustice at the hands of police officers isn’t adjudicated, or officers win acquittals thanks to sloppy cases put together by the state or qualified immunity in other cases. This case was different. George Floyd wasn’t only under Derek Chauvin’s knee, he was held against his will under the influence of the pervasive misanthropy that has eroded the call and mission to protect and serve in many police departments.
Officers of the law see themselves as punishers for wrongdoing instead of upright upholders of the law. If looks could kill…well, look at Derek Chauvin’s face, it did! That look of lawlessness is frozen in the memories of anyone who watched that video. There is another look to be reminded of when you think of Derek Chauvin, though. The look of chagrin, confusion, and anxiety. Before he was led away in handcuffs, Mr. Chauvin’s eyes told a different story as he glared at the jury during the reading of the verdict.
We do indeed have a long way to go, but guilt on all three counts is one step in the right direction in a marathon for justice!
“We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse, and I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves.”
Britt Farmer, Senior Minister, West Freeway Church of Christ (shared from Dallas Morning News)
The last Sunday of the year is often one of remembrance for churchgoers, but for the congregation at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, it will forever be unforgettable. Just after taking The Lord’s Supper, a shooter now identified as Keith Thomas Kinnunen opened fire killing two men before his life was ended by a member of the church’s security team.
Two great men perished on yesterday. That is a fact that their families, the West Freeway Church of Christ, surrounding communities and churchgoers everywhere can’t forget. But in the midst of mourning these two great men, we must pause to celebrate the swift action of the not only the security team, but armed members of the congregation who drew their weapons in response to the evil that walked among them. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hailed them men’s heroics saying, “The heroism today is unparalleled, this team responded quickly, and within six seconds the shooting was over.” As pointed out in many reports since the shooting, multiple worshipers drew their weapons, though only one shot was needed to end the threat in the house of worship.
Spiritually, there is also another aspect to consider and that is covering the house of prayer and ensuing services with prayer. Comfort and security at church are often assumed and not assured by the duty to pray and as the conversation continues for physical reinforcement, believers should also re-consider the need for spiritual reinforcement of increased prayer before service.
Former FBI agent and security expert Greg Shaffer said what happened Sunday inside the West Freeway Church of Christ is proof all houses of worship need armed security.
Today, as we reflect on the aftermath of the tragedy, we must also adjust to a new reality, weapons in worship. The bible declares that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4), but when God’s people were under attack they were instructed to not only sing praises to God, but to remain battle ready! The Pulpit Commentary goes so far as to say “Some understand this metaphorically. But the weapons of Jewish warfare in Nehemiah’s time were thoroughly carnal (Nehemiah 4:13, 16, 17, 18); and against adversaries such as Sanbailat, Geshem, and Tobiah, a nation threatened with extermination is certainly entitled to use the sword.”
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Psalm 149:6
The bible declares that the word of God is a two-edged sword, but make no mistake about it, the sword mentioned in the passage in the book of Psalm is literal. The house of worship is considered a war-zone spiritually, but it’s never safe to make it such literally. This is why only well trained shooters should be considered when defending against weapon wielding evil people. Untrained shooters could easily spark a shootout with an assailant and endanger more lives than originally intended.
Former Fort Worth Police Officer LaRhonda Young says that “every church needs to seek out their active duty military people, LE officers and veterans or former LE officers that are members of their church and ask them to serve as their eyes and if they have CHL encourage them to carry during every service.” This saved countless lives on yesterday and will probably be the model for houses of worship going forward. Former officer Young has made headlines earlier this year for the sake of proper training. In October, when Atatiana Jefferson was killed by a Fort Worth police officer, she decried the poor training incoming officers receive which lead to tragedies like this. She also shared with The SMG Report that proper training and not merely the presence of armed members is what ended the threat in the church on yesterday and encourages the same training for congregations, going forward.
When news broke of the shooting in Fort Worth, thoughts of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs came to mind. Though no motive has been released, tt’s an inconvenient truth that houses of worship will need armed security because for most services, the most disruptive aspect of worship is an awry tambourine. The threat of mass-shootings in public places is very real and with each shooting, the sense of security enjoyed in public places whether defended by armed security or not is eroded, almost daily. What believers choose to do in the wake of yet another church shooting, will have to employ divine wisdom, swift responses and a sharp shooter.
The Golden Gate Funeral Home hearse rest outside Concord Church in Dallas, Texas
The funeral program, limited to family and rostrum clergy.
Yesterday in Dallas,Texas the families of Yolanda Carr and Marquis Jefferson flanked by friends, and the community converged upon Concord Church in Dallas to celebrate the life of a light gone extinguished by injustice. Since news of the shooting broke, the Fort Worth community has been embroiled in relentless demand for justice. Less than two weeks after Amber Guyger was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for killing Botham Jean, the Dallas Fort Worth community was faced with another officer involved tragedy.
This shooting was different. Officers were called to the Carr home because the door was open. Jefferson was playing video games with her nephew well into the early morning, but a call for a welfare check garnered an “open structure” (burglary) response, resulting in the tragic loss of life. Atatiana Jefferson was eulogized as a caring and compassionate young woman who moved home to help care for her mother. The outpouring of love is perhaps the best response to the way she lived her life, with high regard for others.
The family wished to honor and celebrate her life rather than bemoan the tragedy and that wish was carried out in a touching service lasting about an hour and a half. Following a final viewing, the service commenced with a stirring selection from her cousin who remarked that “she would be up before the music even started!”
A number of resolutions were read and acknowledged during the service, including one from congresswoman Maxine Waters. Congresswoman Waters intimated that she felt a deep sense of connection when she heard of the tragedy. Not only has she been a justice fighter for years and a steadfast presence fighting for her constituents, her maiden name is also Carr. Though familial certainty is unsure, she offered her condolences, assistance and echoed the demand for justice in the name of Atatiana Jefferson. Other resolutions included submissions from the office of John Wiley Price, The United Methodist Women, The St. Luke Community United Methodist Church and Nicole Collier, State Representative for Miss Jefferson’s district.
Atatiana was remembered by her mother for her “humble boldness” and for the way she always felt that she would change the world and still believes that even through this tragedy, that her legacy will.
“…you my dear have indeed changed the world by your sacrificial love, unrivaled work ethic and your legacy that is yet to unfold.”
Yolanda Carr, in a written statement to her daughter
Her father was strengthened by his daughter’s life and memory saying that because of his daughter, his purpose is “clearer now than ever before…it is my hope that your life be remembered, honored and loved through others through the Atatiana Jefferson Foundation.”
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
John Wesley
For a life whose light has gone out way too soon, senselessly and unjustly, what is a family and community to do? After the beautiful songs were rendered, it was time to tune our hearts to the prophetic moment. In messages replete with calls to action and demands for justice were reminders of God’s sovereignty and righteousness. The service was attended by several notables including: Fort Worth Police Chief, Ed Kraus and numerous FWPD officers, Fort Worth mayor, Betsy Price, Councilwoman Kelly Allen-Gray, noted journalist Bob Ray Sanders, State Senator Royce West, Attorney S. Lee Merritt, Former FWPD Chief Joel Fitzgerald and the Reverend Kyev Tatum and his wife.
Standing to deliver both a charge and words of encouragement were host pastor, Bryan Carter and Pastor Carl Ming, Southwest Region Conference SDA Youth and Young Adult Ministries. While Pastor Carter admonished attendees to trust God in trying times, Pastor Ming instructed attendees to ask hard questions!
We must stand up and begin to ask some serious questions like why is injustice sitting down on the throne while righteousness is cast in the dungeon? We have to begin to ask the question why is that we’re asking people to protect our people who are afraid of our people? Why is it that the pledge to protect and serve changes when they turn up and realize that the skin color is different?
Pastor Carl Ming
From his text found in Job 14:1-2,14, Pastor Ming expounded upon 1) the evidence of iniquity in our world, 2) the faith of God’s people and 3) the infinite wisdom of our God. and though he admonished the jubilant worshipers to steadfastly acknowledge God as the author and finisher of their faith, there is a dichotomous disturbance plaguing our humanity. This was illustrated in his introduction by the invocation of the poem “If We Die” by one of the first and foremost voices of the Harlem Renaissance, Claude McKay.
If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursèd lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Claude McKay
For tense moments like those expressed by Claude McKay, felt by the Carr/Jefferson families and the punctuated throughout the service, Pastor Carter shared that though we are tired, we can indeed trust God in trying times, knowing that as promised in Psalm 46:1-2, God is our shelter and strength and promises stability to his saints.
Many of us are tired. Tired of talking to our kids about the police. Tired of seeing tearful mothers on tv. Tired of having to protest to prove that black lives do matter. Tired of hoping that the jury will get a conviction. Tired of hoping that the bodycam will prove what we already know. Tired of gathering for funerals, tired of protesting, tired of praying, tired of incarceration, tired of underserved communities, tired of racial profiling, tired of checking the box on an application, many of us are tired!
Pastor Bryan L. Carter, Concord Church
The family of Atatiana Jefferson prepares to leave the sanctuary of Concord Church, in Dallas, Texas
Pastor Carter confirmed to the family that “God has been giving you strength. On days when you didn’t want to get out of the bed, God has been giving you strength.” For the family and surrounding community, strength is what will be needed as both a criminal and civil trial ensue in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy. Reverberating throughout the service was the pulse of the community whose citizens’ trust in law enforcement has been irreparably eroded. To that, Pastor Carter gave redress, saying, “we live in a broken, fallen, unjust world. But despite the world we live in, we can find strength in God who gives us help to deal with these struggles. And, at some point, He gives us the ability to move from why to what now?“
What now do you want me to do, God? How do I build my life back? How do I keep her legacy alive? What now God, how do I move forward and still honor the woman of God that she was?
Pastor Bryan L. Carter, Concord Church
These questions ring out from the sanctuary in Dallas to the 1200 block of East Allen in Fort Worth, to a waiting, watching world yet again looking for answers. Last night, citizens and city leadership again tried to sift through the rubble of the aftermath to find some semblance of answers but the meeting ended with much of the same frustration billowing through council chambers at city hall. Though the answer remains unclear, what is clear is the duress of the road to healing that lies ahead for both the family of Atatiana Jefferson and the city and residents of Fort Worth.
MUSIC WORLD CUP® revealed its World Unity Ambassador Program today from its offices in Switzerland, announcing the appointment of the four-time Grammy Award winning record producer, songwriter, rapper and musician, Rodney Jerkins, (aka; Dark Child) as a World Unity Ambassador. It has been argued that Rodney Jerkins is considered the most commercially successful record producer of all time. At the age of 14, Jerkins was mentored by his idol, Teddy Riley. Today, in his early 40’s, Rodney can claim that he has produced and written for Brandy, Patti LaBelle, Joe, The Saturdays, Toni Braxton, Vanessa Williams, Will Smith, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Michael Jackson, Ayumi Hamasaki, Cher, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Aaliyah, Britney Spears, Mary Mary, The Black Eyed Peas, Destiny’s Child, Spice Girls, TLC, Janet Jackson, Danity Kane, Beyoncé, Linda Király, Lady Gaga, Cascada, Tamia, Pussycat Dolls, Whitney Houston, Natasha Bedingfield, Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie, Tiffany Evans, JYJ, Wonder Girls, Austin Brown, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Utada Hikaru, Hala Al Turk, Nelly Furtado, Justin Bieber, Brian McKnight, LMFAO and many more. In the 2010s, he produced songs for Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, JLS, Kylie Minogue, Ayumi Hamasaki, The Saturdays’.
MUSIC WORLD CUP® World Unity Ambassador Program are visionaries in their profession. They are leaders who have earned the respect of their peers. They are true pioneers in their ambition to do good for humanity. Fahad Alhamrani, Chairman of the board, and co-founder of MUSIC WORLD CUP® said, “MUSIC WORLD CUP® is truly honored to have such an accomplished legend as Rodney Jerkins join its family of global ambassadors. The MUSIC WORLD CUP® World Unity Ambassadors are specifically selected in honor of their outstanding contribution to the global music community and for adding significant value to people’s lives around the world. Rodney Jerkins, the man we have endearingly known as Dark Child, is a perfect example of global accomplishments, expertise, experience and alien-like talent. He embodies the complete package of a MUSIC WORLD CUP® World Unity Ambassador.”
MUSIC WORLD CUP® is a block chain driven, next generation online social platform where artists can upload a performance and fans can listen, engage, like and vote for their favorite artists online. To find out more visit www.musicworldcup.com The first MUSIC WORLD CUP® LIVE Finals takes place end of 2019.
A pygmy from the African Congo, Ota Benga was exhibited in a cage along with monkeys.
According
to a new nationwide survey conducted by Discovery Institute, 85% of American
adults believe “it is important that students learn about the history of
scientific racism in America.” Young adults under age 30 are even more
supportive, with 93% of them saying it’s important for students to learn about
America’s history of scientific racism.
Most
Americans also think that two leading scientific institutions in New York City
should apologize for their notorious actions promoting scientific racism in the
past.
In
September 1906, the Bronx Zoo put African Ota Benga on display in a cage in its
Monkey House as an evolutionary “missing link.” Nearly a quarter of a
million Americans flocked to the Zoo to see the demeaning spectacle. Some 67%
of survey respondents say the Zoo should apologize having sponsored the
display.
The
American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, meanwhile, hosted two
international conferences promoting eugenics, the effort by scientists to breed
a better race by applying the principles of Darwinian biology. The Museum also
mounted virulently racist museum exhibits to go along with the conferences.
Again, 66% of Americans surveyed said they thought the Museum should apologize
for its role hosting the eugenics conferences.
“Most
Americans realize we need to learn from the past,” said Dr. John West,
Vice President of Discovery Institute. “But we can’t learn from the past
if we cover it up.”
West
is the writer and director Human
Zoos, a new award-winning documentary that tells the shocking
story of how thousands of indigenous peoples were put on public display in
America in the early decades of the twentieth century. The documentary also
investigates the history of the American eugenics movement, and it exposes how
the contemporary “Alt-right” movement is seeking to resurrect the
arguments of scientific racists and Social Darwinists from the past.
“Scientific
racism is still with us,” said West. “If we don’t confront those
trying to promote it, we are asking for trouble. Human dignity needs to be
defended in every generation.”
Human
Zoos is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and Amazon Prime video. More
information about the documentary is available at a multimedia educational
site, www.HumanZoos.org.
Bishop Jakes Captures Historic Mother-to-Mother Moment: Sybrina Fulton Honors Allison Jean at International Gathering
A brief word from SMG founder, Fred Willis: Last night when I saw this, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. To hear from this mother, still in the throes of grief, flanked by Bishop, Lady Jakes and Sybrina Fulton was a lot to grasp. Bishop Jakes serves as Pastor to Dallas County DA, Faith Johnson who is charged with the pursuit of justice for Botham Jean’s unjust killing. DA Johnson has quite a task on her hands because successfully prosecuting and ultimately convicting police officers in America is not yet the norm.
In his wisdom, I’m certain that Bishop Jakes is praying for DA Johnson and the Jean family who are both seeking justice in this matter. For Johnson, the conviction of Amber Guyger could come at the cost of her professional career if some officers and unions have their way. In this moment, I celebrate Bishop Jakes, Lady Serita Jakes and God’s Leading Ladies for bestowing this honor and placing the weight of their support and prayers behind this family who has endured an international tragedy.-Fred
Trayvon Martin‘s mother, Sybrina Fulton, presented the Lady of Grace award to Allison Jean, mother of Botham Jean, last night during the God’s Leading Ladies gala at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Woman, Thou Art Loosed!Master Class conference. The award recognizes Jean’s grace, courageous faith, strength and resilience as she rose up to advocate not only for her son, but for others who have unjustly lost their lives.
https://youtu.be/WYVIDIhWqvg
The historic moment captured the two women who are inextricably linked by the tragic and unexpected loss of their sons through racially motivated violence: one to an overzealous neighbor and the other to an off-duty police officer. Fulton has become an advocate and consoler to other families who have lost loved ones due to violence.
Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter’s House, has worked to keep public attention on the issue of racially unjust violence:
“This is a 200-year-old problem that we are still facing within contemporary society. Today too many families have become victims to senseless tragedies. Now is the time to unite and not divide. We need leaders of all colors to come together and recognize we have a problem across America. My hope and prayer is that together as a community we can work together to educate society and change this disturbing pattern. Regardless of race and background, every mother should feel that her children are safe.”
The 2018 Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Master Class runs until Oct. 20 at The Potter’s House in Dallas. For more than 25 years, Woman, Thou Art Loosed! has been training, teaching and inspiring more than half a million women. This year’s new Master Class format will feature breakout panels on topics such as the challenges female leaders face in male-dominated work environments, how to achieve work-life balance, how to succeed in corporate America and tips to maintain healthy relationships.
Visit WTAL.org for more information on confirmed speakers, talent, the full schedule and special event updates. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @MyWTALConf.
