July 9, 2016

Dear Friends,

Once again I am shocked and appalled at the extrajudicial killings of African American men at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve us.  It is horrifying that Alton Sterling and Philando Castile senselessly lost their lives at the hands of police in Baton Rouge and near Minneapolis. In very short order, these two men became the latest victims of an epidemic of brutality that is all too familiar to communities of color across the nation. They have now joined a tragic list of hundreds of Black men fatally shot by police officers in 2016 alone. These men leave behind families, children, and friends who struggle to understand why their lives were snuffed out in such a brutal fashion. Once again, those oppressed by an unjust system, are desperately trying to find justice and healing in a nation where they are far too often met with indifference and inaction by those responsible for protecting them.  

Unfortunately, different factions in a polarized nation, have drawn on the typical responses and divisions. Many assert that we should not rush to judgment until the criminal justice process has played itself out. Others are posting the criminal background of Mr. Sterling, an implicit argument that somehow; Mr. Sterling deserved death as a result of his past mistakes. Still others are frustrated by a community that is rightfully compelled to remind a watching nation that black lives matter too. In addition to the murders of Sterling and Castile, five police officers in Dallas, TX were executed at the hands of a gunman consumed with frustration, hatred, and fear. This tragic act is profoundly upsetting and my heart mourns for all involved.

We have no idea what the legal outcome will be in these matters. But we do know what Scripture has told us; that the kingdom of God is impartial (Galatians 3:28) and that, no matter our background or crimes or sins, we are all image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26). We also know that we have been called to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). This should not be a time to argue, to be dismissive regarding the experiences of others, or to blithely tweet about how all lives matter. For everything there is a season, and this is not that season. This is a time to lament; to affirm the humanity of Mr. Sterling and Mr. Castile and others like them; to condemn retaliatory violence against law enforcement; to empathize with those who feel marginalized and disenfranchised; and to force policy that will change a system, which has allowed the legalized lynching of African Americans across this nation.

Today, we mourn for Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the five officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. We  lament for them and their families. We, pray for them. We pray for peace, and for solace, and for comfort, and, yes, for justice. May it roll like a river and righteousness as a mighty stream. Let us also be reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that “darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

May we do our best to be a source of light and love in this time of pain, confusion and darkness.

Yours Because of Calvary

Bishop Talbert W. Swan, II

ABOUT BISHOP SWAN

Bishop Talbert Swan is the pastor of the Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ, Springfield, MA, Prelate of the Nova Scotia Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church Of God In Christ, President of the Greater Springfield NAACP, and National Chaplain of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.