Calling for a Ceasefire

"One by one we will call for a ceasefire

One by one we will fight for a better end

One by one we can rewrite the headlines

We're standing side by side

Ceasefire" ~ For King and Country, "Ceasefire"

    As probably all of my American readers, and maybe even some international readers, already know, George Floyd died in Minneapolis on Monday, May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. Since that day, protests have taken place in cities across the country, and even some places in other countries. Most of the protests have been peaceful, like the one here in Wichita, Kansas last Saturday. Unfortunately, many others have not been. While I grieve this senseless tragedy, I don't think violence is the answer.

    One reason I feel this way is because the violence of the protests can easily overshadow the reason behind them. Almost six years ago, Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson, Missouri. The weeks that followed were filled with protests and riots that tore the city apart. As I sat down to write this post, I had to Google the incident to remember his name because all I could remember was the destruction of the protests. Even years later, I avoided staying in a motel in Ferguson because of them. Those protesting now want people to remember what happened to Floyd so that it never happens again, but to achieve that goal, his name needs to be the center of the protests, not destruction.

    Additionally, Martin Luther King Jr., a hero of the Civil Rights Movement, made history because he refused to become violent in his protests, even openly condemning people who tried to turn to violence during them. Not even Google can tell me who led the brutal protests in Ferguson because nobody knows. In fact, six young men heavily involved in the protests have died, including one during the protests, and three from suicides years later. For these six young men, the violence they supported came back and destroyed them. These things just go to show that Martin Luther King might have been on to something.

    Some people have tried to justify the riots saying that Jesus once flipped over tables (John 2:13-16).  What these people fail to understand is this comparison simply doesn't work. As I pointed out on one post about this, Jesus flipped the tables of the money changers, the people who sparked His controlled display of anger, and then He stopped. The rioters now are targeting places at random to destroy, including businesses owned by black entrepreneurs, like this one. Doing this is actually hurting the people they are trying to fight for.

    Another reason not to use Jesus' table-flipping as an excuse for the rioting is that in numerous places, Jesus tells us not to fight back against those who are hurting us. In Matthew 5:39-41, Jesus says, "Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile." In verse 44, He reiterates His point by saying, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." However, I think the most telling example of His call to us to not respond in violence came as He was being arrested. His good buddy Peter stepped up to protect Him, as any friend would, and chopped off a guy's ear (John 18:10). Not only did Jesus heal the man's ear (Luke 22:51), but He rebuked Peter by saying, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)

    Now I'm not saying that all of the blame lies on the rioters, who many of the peaceful protestors have stated don't represent them. I think the police response has quite a bit to do with it as well. Last Saturday, the protests here in Wichita remained peaceful because the police officers treated the protestors with respect. People who feel respected are more likely to respond respectfully.

    

    However, there are cities throughout the country where the police officers have not been respectful. Instead of showing up ready to converse with the protestors, they show up prepared to fight, even occasionally clearing them out of a certain area for no really good reason. Unfortunately, people in power, including President Trump, have supported this militaristic response. Some governors have sent out National Guard units to the protests, and Trump threatened to send active-duty military personnel to states that aren't using the National Guard. While I agree with the need to protect the citizens of the places where riots are occurring, I don't think this is the way to do so. Speaking from experience, frustration and anxiety are emotions that are uncomfortable to people because they don't feel like they are in control of them. Anger, on the other hand, is an emotion that people feel more in control of, and as such, will default to it when stressed. A militaristic response to peaceful protests leads to increased fear and anxiety, which easily leads to more anger, which in turn leads to more violence.

    This whole situation could have been avoided if the officers involved in arresting Floyd had taken a Non-Violent Crisis Intervention course similar to what I had to take as part of my job and followed through on what it teaches. A few of the tactics that I have to adhere to in the event I need to restrain a student are not blocking their airway, not keeping them from communicating, and reducing or eliminating the restraint when the student stops struggling. Not only that, but we are taught ways to interact with the student to keep them from reaching the point where restraint is necessary. Yes, what the police have to deal with is far different than dealing with students with special needs, but that doesn't mean that they aren't responsible for maintaining as much peace in a situation as they can. There is absolutely no reason why a man who was accused of passing off a phony $20 bill met his demise under the knee of a police officer when others have walked free for far greater offenses.