A Common Enemy

A few days ago I wrote an opinion piece for the McAllen Monitor describing the importance of organizational collaboration in response to the coronavirus pandemic as one of the most strategic tools we can use to build a more hopeful future. However, my underlying message, and the focus that I was hoping to shed light on, was the idea that humanity, when faced with a common enemy "will rise above their differences and work together to preserve the most basic structures of our democracy." I've highlighted and provided examples of the amazing ways that people from different backgrounds have collaborated to overcome this crisis, and the incredible power of human goodness that we are seeing.

However, these last few days, we have seen our focus shift to despair, anger, and disbelief as millions around the world watched a law enforcement officer slowly murder George Floyd, a black American, by suffocating him with his knee for nearly 8 minutes while bystanders pleaded for the man's life. These acts of police brutality are nothing new to the American public. Just a few weeks earlier, we all witnessed the killing of Ahmaud Arbery by a retired officer and his son, and in March the shooting of Breonna Taylor as officers were executing a search warrant. We are also witnessing in incredible power of human hatred.

We are, yet again at the crest of a huge dichotomy in our American society. A dichotomy that is hard to explain and understand. I have many law-enforcement friends who put their lives on the line every day to protect my freedoms here at home and overseas. I am grateful for their courage and desire to serve their communities. I am encouraged by they selfless desire to protect our peace of mind as we safely sleep at night.

I also have black friends, who are experiencing an incredible amount of anxiety and fear as they see yet another black man killed. They are thinking about their own children and spouses, wondering if they will be next. Unfortunately, their peace of mind is clouded by the systemic disparities that exists in our society. They have every right to be angry, scared, and protest. And you and I must join them in their suffering.

Friends, we have a very real common enemy in our society today. One borne out of hatred and indifference. An enemy as old as our nation, and as strong as our history. An enemy that has played a key role in the development of the society in which we live in today, even though some of us would disagree. There are 3 ways in which we can be involved with this enemy.

We can be actively participating in actions that advances the cause of the enemy (regardless if we know it or not). We can turn a blind eye to the enemy, as it doesn't sees us as a threat. Or we can join the fight against this common enemy. Yet, one of these pose a greater danger then the others for the future of our world.

In his Letters from the Birmingham Jail, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that "we will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." Now, more then ever is the time for us to choose which side we will be on. Now is the time for us to raise our voices, our check books, and out vote, to protect the future of our children and our neighbor's children. Now is the time for us to honor the brave women and men that have fought and given their lives so that you and I could experience the freedoms we have. And if anyone or anything impairs our neighbors from living in their freedom, we have an obligation to step in and say enough.

I urge you to do a few things. (1) Pray and reflect for a more loving and caring world. But also, pray and reflect for justice to bring light in the areas of our lives where darkness reigns. (2) Join the conversation with families, friends, and others about the despicable horrors we have witnessed and how we can come to innovative solutions for change. (3) Support the upstanding women and men of law enforcement and hold them accountable, with love, when they stray away. (4) Call your elected officials, so that we can have key legislation that will protect the most vulnerable and provide reconciliation to perpetrators. (5) Participate in our Democracy by exercising your civic duty by going to the polls and voting in every single election, local, state, and federal. (6) And finally, take a look inward and identify what sins we need to be repented from, whom we needs to ask for forgiveness, and whom we need to forgive.

Make no mistake, this common enemy is stronger then any pandemic. It has the potential to lay dormant and camouflage itself in sheep's clothing. It had done this for far too long. Complacency at this time is not an option, for it will show what side you are on. What will you do?