Early this morning, while it was still very dark, I went running. There is not much unusual about that. Most mornings I put on a pair of beat-up shoes and leave my neighborhood and run in and through and out of one subdivision after another. The only thing I have to watch out for is traffic and the occasional curious dog.
Today my heart is sick with the violence and pain others experience who go out running…or shopping…or hanging out…or driving…or most anything else because of the color of their skin. I run, I shop, I hang out, I drive, and I do most anything I want to do without much thought about the color of my skin or what that may mean to others. This, I know, is a privilege that is not shared by those who look different than I do. And I am sad because what I give so little attention to, is the very thing those of color must think about every day. Their lives depend upon it, and so they do not have the privilege to simply run, or shop, or hang out, or drive without consideration that it may be dangerous.
Like the friends of Job, I am afraid that if I say too much or too little I will only add to the grief and pain of those most wounded. The friends of Job were friends in their silence and shared grief. Only when they started talking did their attempts to comfort turn hurtful.
I do not know what to say, but I do know something must be said. I also know that for right now I will sit alongside the ashes of lament of my brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. Right now I will remember. Right now I will say what I can, even if the words are still insufficient. Right now I will call to mind my students, my church members, my friends, and my neighbors who cannot outrun the hate that has pursued them for much too long.
Right now my heart hurts as we continue to drift so far away from Eden.
Right now I will run, but not away. I will run with all those who need an ally. I will towards love that is the only power that can confront hate. And I will run for life for those whose lives are so often fragile.
I will run for dear life, because life is dear.
Thanks for sharing!!! I was saddened also about this shooting. I had hoped we would be past instances like this. Praying for the family and friends of the young man that was shot. 💔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
It is so sad what can happen to someone who just wanted to run to keep in shape or whatever the reason find they were not as free to run as others. You put some
beautiful words to that sad situation that needed to be said. Hate is a terrible thing.
Well said Greg. God bless
Well said Greg-and I agree totally! It is so sad that this still happens in our country! My heart breaks for the family and I pray for them-for comfort and strength during this time!
An excellent commentary that should be shared with the nation.
Thoughtfully and poignantly stated. Thank you for speaking up. Miss y’all.
Greg, thank you for your thoughtful and caring words about certain people who are treated so cruelly because of the color of their skin or because they are different in some way from the “normal people, or the right kind of people” – as some hate filled people think and act. The video of the “attack” of the young person out for a run resulting in his death, should make all of us weep with shame and remorse. I certainly did!
Greg , thank you for putting into words what so many others are feeling. My faith in the goodness of mankind keeps chipping away when something like this happens. Some of us are going forward in this evolution and many are in the past. When I was in my teens, way back in the late 50,s ….. yes I’m old !!! , I dreamed that 20/20 would be a time when people of all races and countries would be at peace with each other and would work together for a better world 🌎 . I guess that will have to be someone else’s future maybe a few generations from now. My heart is hurting too for the miseries around us , but as you once said, all we can do is light up our path with the grace of God and pray that others will find their way Blessings to you and Amy and the boys
Well chosen words of grief and sadness for those who have been and are being threatened because of the color of their skin, Greg. Those are my sentiments as well. I grieve for the family whose son was killed. Moving Toward God’s Love is a movement toward life and hope. There is no other choice. MTGL is what the world needs now: Always has been, always will be, Thanks.
You are exactly right but I’m afraid it will be another 100 yrs before it is the way we wish it was. So sad.