On May 25, George Floyd - the man pictured above with the Bible in his hand - was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin after the officer placed his kneed on the neck of Floyd for nearly nine minutes. For the last three minutes, Floyd was motionless. During the nine minutes, Floyd begged for this to stop, stated that everything hurt, stated that he couldn’t breathe, and even asked for his “Mama”, who was deceased.
As most of us have seen the past week or so, the protests, riots, and uproar that have emerged after the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have reached seismic levels. Hundreds of cities are seeing the Black Lives Matter movement demand change. It has been said this is the biggest civil rights movement moment since the 1960’s.
Almost immediately after the killing of Mr. Floyd, I came across this picture above. Whoever posted it listed all the things George Floyd had been involved in from a ministry perspective. He was called a “person of peace” by a local pastor. He led Bible studies. Served those in need. Carried a presence of the Gospel that influenced others.
But even if…
Those are the words I’ve been thinking about. The words I can’t shake.
Because, I think I’ve seen this picture of Mr. Floyd posted by so many of my white friends demonstrating their outrage over his death because it seems to prove this was a good man. He’s holding the Bible. He’s towering over others, apparently connected and impacting them. And so, we are incensed that this innocent man could be killed.
But even if…
Even if he wasn’t holding a Bible, would we still be outraged?
Even if the Bible was replaced with a gun in his hand, would we still see this as injustice?
Even if George Floyd had committed a crime in those moment before he was pinned to the ground, would we respond the same way?
Even if he was a known criminal, would the knee of Derek Chauvin cutting the life out of George Floyd for nine minutes cause us to care?
Even if we didn’t like the facts that came out, would we still be so disturbed by this moment?
There’s this other picture from this week.
On June 1, one week after George Floyd was killed, President Trump hosted a brief national address in the Rose Garden of the White House, and then proceeded to march to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, where this picture of him holding a Bible was taken. In the process, peaceful protesters at the side were removed by police using smoke canisters. One bishop from the Episcopal diocese in DC said she was “outraged” by the event.
And again, I found myself with those words…
But even if…
Even if President Trump had sincere motives, would this have been the right action?
Even if the moment of national protest could benefit from this photo op, does it model the character of Christ?
Even if he’s been a good leader for our economy, can we justify this action?
Even if he wasn’t prostituting the faith of Jesus-followers for his own political attention, would we be okay with this?
Two pictures. Two moments. Two sentiments. And a world of pain in between them.
For my brothers and sisters of color, I am sorry. I feel helpless this week. I’m sorry I haven’t felt helpless sooner. I have no words. I’m sorry I’ve had so many in the past. I want to advocate, to listen, to pray, and to grieve with you. And at the same time, I know it is impossible for me to feel the depths of what you’ve carried your entire lives.
For my white brothers and sisters, please keep listening. Please keep learning. Please keep asking questions. Please do more than read headlines or ratings-driven snippets. Do more than lean on political rhetoric or cut and paste answers that help alleviate your confusion. Lean into being disturbed. Pursue your own discomfort and let the Spirit of Christ break your heart.
Even if it hurts.