I have been asked for my thoughts concerning the death of George Floyd as well as the despicable act by a young woman in New York who tried to get an African-American man arrested simply because he asked her to keep her dog on a leash in a leash only area.

Before I speak on either of these instances, some backstory. If you are reader of this blog, you know the journey I have been on concerning race relationships in our community. You can read this or this or this or this. I could list more but you get the point.

I am not new to this discussion.

In fact, for the last two years, I have met with a group of African-American pastors over lunch, coffees, and zoom meetings. I have purposely pursued relationship with these men and they have welcomed me as part of the family. I am often the only white guy in the room (we are changing this, adding some “cream” to the mix). These men have become some of my closest friends, a safe place for me and them to ask questions, to tease each other and laugh. We text all the time, check in on each other.

Why have I done this? Why have I purposely sought out relationships with African-American pastors and churches in our community? Why do I show up and listen?

Because I got to the point in my life where I realized that being mad about racism and asking “why” was no longer a good enough response.

Let me be clear. There is no excuse for the actions of those ex-police officers in Minneapolis. None. George Floyd should be alive right now.

But this is not new. The events of this week are not isolated instances. This has been a part of the reality of what it means to be a black male in America for quite some time. The cell phone has revealed a deep, dark secret that we whites have either ignored or been ignorant of and we really should be past the point of being shocked.

And that is what triggered me this week particularly about the white community. Why are we still shocked? Why do the images and video shock us this week? Why is this instance so heinous? What is so unique about the death of an unarmed, handcuffed black man this week that has finally got us speaking out and speaking up? Why has it taken this long for so many of us to see this?

I am tired of seeing press conferences of white people who are outraged by these actions but then return to the safety of their white privilege. I am tired of sound bites and twitter posts but then no intentional change in terms of building relationships with people that look different than you. I am tired of “leaders” who sound fantastic at a press conference but they can not incarnate what they are preaching.

Asking “why” is no longer a good enough response. We know why. Mankind is selfish and sinful. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

A better question is “Now what?” Start personally before you start corporately. After a week of social media posts, twitter fights, and facebook comments – what is going to fundamentally change in your life? Will you seek out a relationship with someone of color to listen and learn? Will you risk your safety and comfort to stand with other African-Americans?

It is the way of our Lord and Savior…to walk in these places as a redemptive voice.

I am grieving with my brothers this week. I am angry when they are angry, frustrated when they are frustrated, exhausted when they are exhausted. Not because they are black. But because they are my friends. And that is what fundamentally needs to change in our culture moving forward.