Once again, our nation finds itself in the midst of an ugly fight. More and more athletes from a variety of sports are choosing to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem. The protest started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 against police brutality and the ongoing violence in our country against people of color is only gaining steam. On the flip side, many fans are now choosing to boycott the NFL. Ratings are down. Attendance is lagging. Merchandise sales will drop. The NFL has become the latest flashpoint in a culture war that never seems to end.
As I watched my Facebook and Twitter feeds erupt over the weekend, I found myself grieving for our country. It seems so clear to me that our great adversary, Satan, continues to tighten his grip around our collective throats. The rage, hate, and vitriol is shocking. The name-calling and character assassination is appalling. We appear locked in perpetual adolescence, unable to see beyond our own emotions. In the midst of it all, I have found myself asking, "How would Jesus respond to this situation?" Is the gospel that I preach week in and week out relevant here? Does it speak to the issues of our day? Even more importantly, does it represent the power of God to bridge the cultural divide? To bring salvation? Healing? Shalom?
The Bible uses this wonderful image to describe authentic community. The Apostle Paul says we are like a body. Each part has a significant role to play. Each of us having intrinsic value, dignity, and worth. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you." The visible parts cannot say to the invisible parts, "We have no need of you." Each part is designed by God to enrich the whole. Like it or not, we are in this together. When one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. When one part of the body celebrates, we all celebrate.
In our nation today, people of color are struggling. They face incredible obstacles simply because of the color of their skin. According to the Wall Street Journal and the Sentencing Project, when charged with the same crime, a black male is six times more likely to go to jail than his white counterpart. In New Jersey, African-Americans make up 15 percent of drivers but 42 percent of traffic stops on the NJ Turnpike. In New York City, 52% of those stopped by the "Stop and Frisk" policy were black and 32% Hispanic. Only 9% were white despite the fact they were more likely to be carrying guns, contraband, or illegal drugs. In the courts, a black on white murder is twice as likely to merit the death penalty than a white on black murder. Prosecutors are significantly more likely to upgrade cases to felony murder when the defendants are black. And African-Americans receive 20 percent longer prison terms than whites when convicted for the same crimes. Anecdotally, my colleagues in ministry who are people of color confirm these statistics when they share their own life experiences. This is the injustice that prompted Colin Kaepernick to first sit, then kneel, back in 2016.
In our nation today, law enforcement and military men and women are struggling. According to the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, 20% of the vets who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from major depression or PTSD. Almost 20% of these same vets have experienced a traumatic brain injury. 25% show signs of substance abuse. And the suicide rate continues to climb to record levels. The men and women who serve in law enforcement across the country face similar issues. Depression. PTSD. Heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure as a result of the psychological stress they endure day in and day out. Their suicide rate is 52% higher than the general population. The pressures these men and women face is enormous and cannot be overstated. Anecdotally, the men and women I have the privilege of pastoring who have either served in the Armed Forces or in law enforcement confirm these statistics. So do their families. Their sacrifices are real. Many of them have fought, bled, and had friends and loved ones die in desolate places all over the earth or even right here in our cities to preserve the freedoms our flag represents. Kneeling during the National Anthem, for them, is a sign of deep disrespect and a personal affront.
But what if we truly saw ourselves as part of one body? What if we understood the suffering of people of color in our nation today to be our suffering? What if we understood the suffering of our law enforcement and veterans to be our suffering? What if, instead of blasting each other on social media or cable news, we moved towards each other in compassion? What if, instead of ignoring each other's pain, we sat down with those who are different and listened, really listened, to their stories? (As I did recently with a young African-American teenager in our community who shared with me the racism he's faced in our local schools.) What if, instead of judging one another's intentions and assuming the worst about other people, we followed the gospel command to offer grace and unconditional love? What if we chose to meet people where they are at rather than demand they come to us first? What if we tried to attack the problem rather than attack the people? What if we had the humility to acknowledge that our nation's history is a checkered one at best, filled with events that stir the soul as well as tragedies that need to be grieved?
It seems to me the gospel demands I move towards those who are hurting and sit with them in their pain. It seems to me the gospel requires I have the courage to listen first before I speak. Seek to understand before I am understood. It seems to me the gospel commands I be humble and honest about my own shortcomings and complicity in contributing to the situation that exists today. It seems to me the gospel reminds me that the ONLY heart I can adequately judge is my own, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and therefore I cannot judge another person's intentions.
It seems to me the gospel also calls us higher. To do better. To be better. This past week, I met with some local government officials. I wanted to know how we can help make our community a better place. I wanted to know where they saw the greatest needs. I wanted them to know we are here both for them and to partner with them in their work. They were so excited and thankful and appreciative. They know they are not alone.
Here's a humble suggestion...what if every NFL team continued to build on the partnerships they have in the community? What if every NFL team met with local law enforcement and military men and women about specific ways to make our communities safer for everyone? What if the NFL leveraged its astronomical wealth and influence to not just enrich its stockholders but to serve the cities in which they are located? I know they do a lot but surely there is more to be done? And what about us? This isn't a task just for the NFL and its players/owners. What if all of us channeled our energy in constructive rather than destructive ways? What if we would use our passion and resources as fuel to make our communities better than rage on social media? The task is enormous and it will take all of us to make a better future together.
I am praying for the day when I will turn on the television or attend a game and see NFL players, local police, and military men and women show us a better way forward by holding the flag together during the National Anthem, committing themselves to a better future for our nation.