My heart is filled with grief, anger, and a prayer for a quick move of God. I am writing this blog on June 1, 2020. It will not be posted until June 29, 2020. By that time, I know that America will not be the same. I cannot wait to see what will happen; I must put on record what I feel today.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed while the world watched. When I glanced at the television and saw him on the ground with the officer’s knee on his neck, I was disturbed. As time passed, I became shocked and started praying as the policeman continued to press his knee into George’s neck while bystanders pleaded for the policeman to stop. When George Floyd called for his mother and stopped breathing, my heart filled with tears.
On May 5, 2020, I wrote a blog entitled “Stop Letting People Push Your Emotional Buttons.” It was a part of our study of the Book of James:
Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. (James 1:19-20, Amplified Bible).
Please let me clarify. James did not mean we should watch inequality and do nothing. I do not approve of the rioting and looting. But I do approve of protesting evil acts of men.
Stephen Mattson wrote in “Jesus Was A Protester” printed in Sojourners, March 16, 2016:
- “When Jesus stormed into the temple courts, interrupted the proceeding by overturning tables, yelling, and driving both people and animals out of the room using a whip, he was condemning the greed and corruption of religious hypocrites — because Jesus was a protester (John 2:13-25).
- Jesus confronted the leaders about their wrong practices, evil thoughts, and destructive deeds — because Jesus was a protester (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 11).
- Jesus openly rebuked, held accountable, challenged, and called out people who refused to change from their misguided ways — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 11:20-30).”
I am tired of people stabbing our hearts and then telling us we should not, must not bleed because it makes the stabber uncomfortable to see the blood flowing from the wounds he caused.
I am not contradicting my earlier blog. Its truth stands. We should be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. That does not mean we should not be angry; but we must not be loose cannons (unpredictable, uncontrolled people causing unnecessary damage).
What is the appropriate response to the constant racial violence in America? James 1:19-20 says we must produce righteous acts. What are the righteous acts? That depends on who you are:
- Prayer must be first and constant, daily.
- It is appropriate for some to peacefully protest in the streets.
- We must convince people to register to vote.
- Black and White must listen to each other carefully and thoughtfully (verse 19).
- Black and White must genuinely work toward a real common good.
- Black and White must see each other as human beings worthy of respect. You do not have to be best friends, but you do have to acknowledge that both are formed in the image of God and behave accordingly.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, my Black mother’s heart hurts. To watch yet another Black man killed in such a brutal way has filled me with grief. I have a son, sons-in-law, and grandsons. I fear for them. And I am angry that they are seen as less than human. Father, only you can bring peace to the land. You said if your people who were called by your name would humble themselves, pray, seek your face, and turn from their wicked ways that you would heal the land (2 Chronicles 7:14). ALL of your people will not comply! So, I ask you, Father, will you heal the land for an obedient remnant? Will you do it for the righteous hoary heads, mourning women, intercessors, and pastors? Calm my heart, Father. Bring peace to the United States of America. In the name of Jesus. Amen. #Join the Conversation.
Good article, Dr. God, does want blacks and whites to live racial harmony. He wants us to have that 1 Corinthians 13 Love for one another.
Thank you Dr. Haire for sharing your hurting heart. Being a black mother also with bi- racial family, they’ve shared their racial experiences even the police brutality. Anger does arise. How did and how do I cope, by calling out to God, because that old unredeemed man wants to react not in a Godly way.
Continued prayer, seeking God for wisdom and guidance on what to do by any Godly way necessary.
Well said, Dorothy! Amen!
In the midst of it all OUR GOD REIGN and we must continue to stand on the word! Great article Dr. I feel your heaviness of heart and God does too and I believe he will respond.
Great article!! You have expressed so well,the sentiments of many!!
Well articulated. My righteous act is to refuse to hatem
Dr. Haire thank you for this heartfelt blog. I share your sentiments and those of so many African American mothers. Watching the event was hard, disturbing and enraging. But I read a sign that said, We Have A Christ For Our Crisis. He does hear and answer prayer.
Interesting
Thank you Dr. Haire for sharing your heart. The lord jesus shared your hurting heart and I believe he will answer a obedient remnant. I to am a black mother of son and grandson and great grandson I joined you in praying for land to be heal. I’m asking for hand of protection from a ungodly man amen
I feel and understand your pain. I had a melt-down one day, got in the car and just drove, going nowhere special. I looked at our black men, my husband, grandsons and my heart ached for them knowing how oppressed this must had made them feel. Like all, we are praying and staying before God for and against the injustices of the land.
Thank you Dr. Haire for sharing your heart. The lord jesus shared your hurting heart and I believe he will answer a obedient remnant. I to am a black mother of son and grandson and great grandson I joined you in praying for land to be heal. I’m asking for hand of protection from a ungodly man amen
Our hearts are full of grief. A spirit of helplessness looms over. Truly the time for true change is here. We are enraged, moved beyond silent tears. Thanks for putting it in writing
Great, thought provoking blog.
Your emotions were expressed brilliantly and in a manner that all could understand. Thank you for your transparency.
Dr Haire Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts in this article. I like you when I saw that acts of the policeman with their knee of George Floyd neck and him calling out to his mother and couldn’t breathe, it made me think that could be my, son, my grandson, nephew are cousin. I began to think how that mother & the family felt seeing her son die on National TV and my heart was grieved with hurt and like you it made me angry. We and the people who are to serve shows look at all men as human no matter the color, race, nationality are religion . We are all created in the likeness & image of God,and he was no respecter of person and neither should we be. I pray for love & peace in the world. I pray that the protestor continue to march peacefully and that what they are walking and standing for will be seen and that a change will come so all men black & white can live together and recognize that we will have difference of opinion and that Ok but not to allow that difference of opinion to mistreat are put a person down because of their opinion. Prayer changes things and its written that the effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much. Working together involve listening and not be the only one talking. Thank you for sharing all the blogs they have enriched my life and help me to apply it to me life. I’m still growing & learning and I know it is a process and God know I have not arrived being what God want me to be, but thank God when I ask I do receive. We can not change people but God can.
Well done my friend as usual, touched my heart. Jesus was a protestor. I’m going to print this blog & keep it, good teaching! Thanks 🙏
This is very good. So very true. I pray always for our males. I was listening to the news today when Booker was being bullied and threatened to be lynched. Thank God people that were with him was bold enough to stand up for his right. He said he believe because of them he was saved. I like to add because God and His angels He was saved. We have to allow God to use us when others are in need. Lord help us to stand boldly in the midst of trouble.
I love your writing!