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From California to the New York Island--From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters America burns, streets are blockaded, and stores are looted.
If this land is "our" land, why would we believe that this kind of lawlessness will create justice, and this kind of destruction will create equality?
Be informed.
A closer look.
Sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man, caused by the knee of a Minneapolis police officer pressed into his neck while handcuffed and subdued on the ground, protests erupted the video of the incident was posted on social media.
By this weekend, that spark of protest became a flaming torch. Most major cities became an inferno, with burning, looting, breaking, and defacing buildings. This lawlessness was all in the name of racial inequality?
.@AP map showing cities across the country where crowds are protesting police violence after the killing of #GeorgeFloyd https://t.co/CPr3gjTIJv pic.twitter.com/IczusG6Dai— amna (@IAmAmnaNawaz) May 31, 2020
The most striking, poignant picture I've seen was the one above showing a rioter running down the street carrying a US flag upside down, with buildings burning all around him. Shouting, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe"---George Floyd's last words before his death.
By this morning, we have begun to learn that much of the rioting was primarily led by ANTIFA, not black protestors.
President Trump said yesterday that he intends to declare ANTIFA a terrorist group.
The black mayor of Atlanta made an impassioned appeal to blacks not to be drawn into the rioting.
Videos show people of all colors---black, brown, white, etc.---lighting fires, crashing windows, stealing from Apple stores to jewelry stores to liquor stores to grocery stores to NIKE stores.
Why is America's culture upside down?
By late yesterday, a number of leaders from the black community have begun to declare that the lawlessness and destruction do not represent the spirit of the protest from the black community.
Lawrence Bacow, President of Harvard University, commenting on the death of George Floyd, said:
“I hope you will pause during these troubled times to ask what you believe,” he wrote. “Even more importantly, I hope you will find the strength and determination to act on your beliefs—to repair and perfect this imperfect world."
"In his email Bacow wrote that in difficult times, he returns to his beliefs in principles such as the 'goodness of the people of this country—and in their resilience,' that 'America should be a beacon of light to the rest of the world,' and 'the American Dream'.”
Harvard Leverett House Faculty Deans Brian Farrell and Irina Ferrerasa wrote, "We need to look deep into the conditions which cause people to participate in riotous activities."
And they added, "Riots are symptoms of the disease, not the disease itself."
The "Disease" that Harvard Deans want to discover, is deception.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees the God-given right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to every citizen, regardless of race, color, or creed.
As a pastor, I've spent my life ministering to people all over the world, in countries from Africa to Latin America to Asia and beyond.
I believe that every life is precious to God and I am deeply saddened by the events in Minneapolis. My prayer is that these tragic events open an honest discourse that will help bring healing.
However, there are those who are even now attempting to use this tragedy for political gain.
In many cases, the media is aiding that goal.
Yesterday, the press gave wide coverage when Joe Biden "took a knee" in Delaware, saying he will “help lead this conversation” about the “protests” being launched across America.
He went on to say:
“As President, I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly, I will listen, just as I did today visiting the site of last night’s protests in Wilmington.”However, just last week in an interview with "The Breakfast Club," Joe Biden said this:
"Well I tell you what, If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."The ultimate "disease" is sin and rebellion toward God. At the heart of every human conflict, ultimately, is a matter of the heart. And what you believe.
Takeaway.
Woody Guthrie wrote the song, "This Land is Your Land, This land is my Land" in protest, although kids sing it in public classrooms as an expression of patriotism.
Throughout his life, Guthrie was associated with various United States communist groups. In fact, Guthrie's song was a satirical response to another song. In 1940, he wrote his song in protest to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America."
He said God had little to do with his America.
This is what God has to do with America. Only under God can a people remain one nation, indivisible, and provide liberty and justice for all.
Founding Father Patrick Henry said, "When people forget God, tyrants forge their chains."
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful.