As the white father of a black son my heart breaks for every black man, woman or child that has been or is being mistreated. I am sick over the prejudice shown by members of our judicial system. I can only imagine the fire that burns for vengeance. But retaliative violence will never make right of wrong.
The answer will not be found in shooting but in sharing a common vision for every child–for every child to have a church. A church that is fully integrated socially, racially and economically. A church that offers the hope that only Jesus can bring. Hope that removes fear, promotes education and builds relationships. Relationships that bring God’s Kingdom right now and for all eternity.
I echo the sentiments of Martin Luther King . . . ‘I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.” This dream will only become reality if we as parents model for our children what it means to love one another. To love one another not regardless of race but precisely because of the differences in our tone of skin.
We cannot be indifferent to this dilemma which is producing such tragic outcomes. As the late Elie Wiesel stated, “The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference.” All people matter to God and therefore they must matter to us. All people are loved by God and therefore we must love all people.
As the white father of a black son I am asking you to join me in prayer for peaceful reconciliation in our nation. I am asking you to join me in speaking out for justice on behalf of those who are oppressed. I am asking you to join me in making sure that every child has a church.