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After the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in February 2020, which is only the most recent in a long string of killings, we are compelled to speak up against the epidemic of violence against innocent black Americans by police. Below, we call for an end to these killings by police who are meant to protect us all.
We are deeply pained and outraged at the increase in the number of police killings of innocent African American/black citizens – an alarming indicator of the way black people are being dehumanized, marginalized and devalued. We cry out with our black brothers and sisters that #BlackLivesMatter – the epidemic killings must stop!
We also deplore the horrifying sniper killings of police officers that have taken place as retribution in the past. As Rev. Martin Luther King said, “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”
The race-based violence in our country is, as President Obama said, “an American issue” that confronts every one of us, individually and systemically. We pray for all victims of violence and their grieving families. And we call on all of us to engage in personal and national soul-searching on the evils of our socialization in racist systems and the steps we must take to detoxify our hearts and the heart of our nation. We may again draw on Rev. King and his Christ-inspired words for guidance: “Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
As we work toward building healing relationships, we recognize the necessity of a holy recommitment to both the dignity of each person as a creature of God and to the transforming power of hope.
Killings of Innocent Black Americans by Police:
Ahmaud Arbery (while jogging)
Bothem Sean and Atatiana Jefferson (while in their homes)
Jonathan Ferrell and Renisha McBride (while asking for help after being in a car crash)
Stephon Clark (while on his cellphone in his grandmother’s backyard)
Jordan Edwards (while leaving a party to get to safety)
Jordan Davis (while playing loud music)
Alton Sterling (while selling CDs)
Aiyana Jones (while sleeping)
Mike Brown (while walking from the corner store)
Tamir Rice (while playing cops and robbers)
Charleston9 (while in church)
Trayvon Martin (while walking home with Skittles)
Sean Bell (while leaving his own bachelor party and holding a hairbrush)
Oscar Grant (while partying on New Years)
Sandra Bland (while getting a traffic ticket)
Philando Castille (while lawfully carrying a weapon)
Corey Jones (when his car broke down on a public road)
John Crawford (while shopping at Walmart)
Terrence Crutcher (while his vehicle was disabled)
Keith Scott (while reading a book in his car)
Clifford Glover (a 10-year-old walking with his grandfather)
Claude Reese (while decorating for a party)
Randy Evans (while asking a cop a question)
Yvonne Smallwood (while cashing a check)
Amadou Diallo (while taking out his wallet)
Walter Scott (while running)
Eric Gardner (while struggling to breathe)
Freddie Gray (while lawfully carrying a knife)
For these deaths and all killings of innocent Americans by police due to skin color, we mourn.
We have more to say about racism and violence:
I am truly enraged about the discriminatory way people of color have been and are being targeted by, to name one population, American police. No, I don’t want to hear about police bravery and how we owe them so much, etc., etc., etc. We’ve all been subjected to the “fairness” tutorial. It’s time to study justice. As a country, we investigate everything. How about focusing on the dangerous and violent activity of police as they practice–and perfect– their self-justified killing of Blacks?
As the mother of half-black, half-white, I am so upset at all of this violence. Its so hard to comprehend that this still goes on. I am praying for our Country and our brothers and sisters of color. It literally breaks my heart. God bless.