The fire of sin rages in our hearts and when we feel it can be justified, we allow it to spill out, unbridled in the streets.

It seems almost impossible to speak out during this period of unrest without having a label applied to you. If you quote someone, you’re probably taking something out of context or intentionally omitting facts- at least that’s what you’ll be accused of.

During the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, there was violence. Quoting MLK about peaceful protests does not deny that violence occurred. Talking about how to achieve a solution without stealing, burning, and killing does not diminish the plight of the people – But does it show a lack of understanding and/or perspective? How can we have an accurate perspective when we lack objective truth?

Without objectivity, history is merely a tainted, temporal perspective, especially one that doesn’t look the same in the future, viewed through society’s lens in the present.

Of course, I never fully endorse anything or anyone other than the saving grace of Jesus Christ, so the opinions of the podcast are strictly theirs and provided here as a source of perspective.

After my post, FREEZE, I had a request from a fellow Marine Vet to listen to the above podcast of which he is a contributor. I am always seeking to broaden my understanding of the inflammatory topics which pervade our current news cycle.

These gentlemen put themselves out there and through the hour of dialogue reached some conclusions. As fathers, husbands, coaches, and educators, they need to be an active force in the lives of the future generation – even if that means political activism.

There are some flaws in their logic (as I’m sure there are in mine). They discuss the inefficacy of peaceful protests and the need for rioting as a way of being heard. If we say peaceful protests and everything else that has been done haven’t worked- then we should wash away all the old and start anew, right? Is it time for a revolution? A segment of America certainly thinks so. But there were also riots in the 1960’s are we going to say they worked then? Why did they not produce the final desired result? What is different about the riots today in comparison?

There is racism/discrimination/hatred in America and it’s coming from all types of people, aimed at anyone who doesn’t match what they see in the mirror. I look back fondly on the Marine Corps as a place where I saw people of every stock in life working toward common goals. We might have had different reasons for being there but we worked together. Sure, there’s always bad apples in every bunch- I’m not saying the military is an “anti-racist” work place. Command climate surveys can be cited demonstrating that issues exist; indeed they do.

I’ve never been okay with mass punishment but it’s common in the Marine Corps. It is supposed to encourage peers to keep each other in line. Mass punishment doesn’t work. Punishing a unit for the actions of one is ignorance and encourages a lack of personal accountability. It establishes a mob rule.

If we were to address the past wrongs of all people, the uprising would never end. SO, should we not talk about what’s going on right now? Should we forget history? Absolutely NOT! Will tearing down statues erase history? No, but we must be careful to preserve objective truth in history. Objectivity in history requires that a diverse group of disagreeable individuals with varying perspectives write what they observe; then all accounts are super-imposed. It’s a larger bandwidth but it sure beats what we’re doing now.

We have enough rational people of all races, genders, and creeds in this country that are willing to step up and work on this collectively. We should not rely on our current political system to solve this issue. We the people must work together to change how communities operate, police, and treat each other.

We can use this time of change for good. We are dealing with issues of the HEART. Society is a collective but actions belong to an individual. Dare to be different. I am a follower of Christ, a Marine Corps veteran, and I desire to love people as God loves them. I appear “white” but that’s not who I am, it’s just how I was born. I choose Christ daily, I chose the Marine Corps, and I actively choose to love you, whoever you are.

Shaun King Tweeted this past week about tearing down “white Jesus” and removing him as the symbol of oppression he is. While I agree that Jesus wasn’t white and that many members of the KKK attended Christian services this statement that “White Jesus” represents the historical and current white supremacy that has been forced upon his and other people is part of something deeper. I don’t think this is just about racial justice.
He talked about tearing down every statue of any man that ever owned Africans- especially Washington and Jefferson who he considers “monsters.”

So, are we ready to bring down the Washington monument? Are We the People ready to scorch the land, and erase all symbols of our founding fathers? Owning slaves is wrong. So are many other things but if I post stats or talk about those in this same conversation I will be summarily dismissed. Yes, our current topic is indeed the eradication of ill treatment of people that don’t look like what we see in the mirror.

The path set before us is down hill and slippery. It seems easy to traverse at first but once we pick up speed, things can get out of control quickly. What seems like a righteous cause to eliminate racial discrimination could be easily hijacked by other interest groups who see that their lifestyle (whatever that may be) has been hindered in the past and that all those who oppose them must pay.

Currently though we need to tread cautiously and know who and what we are supporting. Be strong in your beliefs but willing to listen to others. Know that holding to Christ honoring values is not bigoted, racist, misogynist, or patriarchal. Whatever your view, feel free to comment below.

We need a heart soft enough that people can connect to us but a faith hard enough that people cannot shake us.
Let the light of Christ Jesus fill your life. Emulate the selfless love that He showed us and the courage He lived to face the cross.

https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/
This should give you a clear view. The first half seems quite appropriate but the second half has nothing to do with being black and everything to do with a progressive agenda. Black Lives DO Matter but I don’t think this organization is pure at heart when it comes to what they’re doing.

Before you say something or re-post something, PAUSE. When you first see someone, PAUSE. Take whatever that snap-judgement was and throw it out. Try and see the world through the eyes of Jesus, not his “followers.”

If you find inaccuracies, agree or disagree with me, please let me know with a comment below.

-Drew Out