George Floyd
For quite sometime I have thought about the idea of creating an “editorial” for Religious Learning with the purpose of highlighting charitable causes, practical Christianity, and critiquing society, its norms, ethics, and morality. Given the events of the world occurring currently, I finally decided to proceed with starting one. And the first editorial is what I hope will not be a controversial one, but transcends all political leanings.
George Floyd was detained by police on May 25, 2020 for a forgery in progress (while an immoral crime, certainly not a violent one, like armed robbery, rape, assault, or murder). He did not resist arrest and seemed to have reasonably complied with the officers. However, four officers held him down, which one in particular, Derek Chauvin, held his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd begged Chauvin to stop, stating he could not breathe. In a heartbreaking moment, Floyd cried out for his mother.
From what I can tell, conservatives, progressives, and libertarians (and I’m sure I’m leaving out some political leanings) have almost unanimously condemned the officers involved, especially Chauvin. And for good reason. Most are sympathetic to the protestors, though most are not sympathetic to the looters and violent actors, both for obvious reasons.
I’m extremely sympathetic to the black community, as I am for many of the minorities, especially the Native Americans and hispanics. Historically, these have been treated horribly. And what’s worse, in my opinion, the government has simply exacerbated their plight in a facade of a “helping hand.” Virtually no one in the middle class aspires to permanently live on a reservation or in the inner-city. Unfortunately, these places are not the cities on shining hills, due to systematic problems.
While I believe race is a factor in this, I don’t think always the main factor, much less the only factor. For example, with Ahmaud Arbery I certainly believe his murder was race-based, first or second degree murder. With George Floyd, I think it is a little less unclear whether race was a major factor. To me, it seems more on the lines of a sociopath (Chauvin) who could hide behind qualified immunity. However, I certainly don’t want to discount any possible race influenced actions of Chauvin, and I may be completely wrong. Regardless, I think both the murders of Arbery and Floyd are equally disgusting. The perpetrators need to be in jail in both cases, and probably on the same charges of first or second degree murder.
For those who don’t know, by trade I’m an attorney. While I don’t do criminal law or deal with civil rights, I certainly read as much as I can on those subjects, but by no means an expert in those two fields. However, as explained to me by experts, sociopaths are willing to do what many would consider immoral acts, so long as there are no consequences. They will not cross the line that would bring about consequences. This is distinct from psychopaths, who aren’t really concerned with consequences, or could even make such distinctions regarding moral or immoral behaviors. The distinction is important. As one defense department official I heard say, the CIA prefers sociopaths. They follow orders, won’t go crazy, but will do things normal people wouldn’t (such as immoral acts), so long as these acts are “legal.” And it is well known that many police officers, like other people in powerful positions, are sociopathic. And note that I said many, not most.
The question is why it is this way? It may be that profession attracts those types of applicants. Perhaps the stress of the job turns them into sociopaths. Or maybe it’s a combination of the two. For that I will let the experts pontificate on the issue. But as I noted before, sociopaths don’t want negative consequences, especially if there are no positive ones that follow. So a simple solution would be to make the individual responsible for his or her actions. Currently, if there is a wrongful death, and the police officer is acquitted in the criminal case, the city will have to pay, and the police officer moves on with his or her life. Instead, removing the immunity shield of the officer and holding the officer personally liable even if he or she is acquitted of criminal charges would likely substantially change the dynamic of personal responsibility for one’s actions, that being negative consequences follow. It certainly helps in other scenarios outside the police.
But back to the original purpose of these editorials. What are Christians to do? Christians have long had a reputation of helping those in need, while suffering personal abuse. As the famous quote by the pagan Arsacius said regarding Christians versus pagans, “[I]t is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.” Arsacius goes on to state that pagans should copy Christian behavior! Now days, Christian reputation has taken a major hit, and much of it deservedly so. Church attendance is rapidly declining in the USA, and many are not finding it useful in their lives. And frankly I don’t blame them. Church has become an hour set aside each week, and then forgotten until next week. Christians have historically been known for being non-violent, content with their fate at the hands of Romans on execution day, leading the charge to free American slaves, leading the civil rights charge, and arguing against unnecessary violence of war. It’s hard to argue that is the memory of Christians now. Today, American evangelical Christians are so wrapped up in the idolatry of the government (both Democratic and Republican) that the only thing that can be seen is hypocrisy. A just accusation, which we are judged guilty.
Christians instead should be taking the observation of the pagan Arsacius seriously. Helping serve those communities most in need, emotionally and materially. Christians should put pressure on governing authorities, peacefully, and always apply pressure until changes are made. The consensus was originally very supportive of the Floyd family. Unfortunately, that has been hijacked by the violence and looters. Christians need to step up and realign the message to one of love and defense of the innocent, vulnerable, and less fortunate. Jesus’s message of peaceful love[1] is what resonated with the masses. Gandhi’s message of peaceful love and non-violence is what made him remembered and venerated to this day. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of peaceful love and non-violence is why is he constantly quoted and why nearly every town and city has a street named after him. All three murdered and hated during their own time. But their impact and positive changes that followed are immortal.
As the ancient rabbis stated, to save one person’s life is to save an entire world. Let’s be pro-life and prevent another George Floyd murder. Never stop serving our fellow humans. Be accused of being too generous. Let others say, let’s be like the Christians.
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[1] I have seen many people trying to justify destruction of property and beatings of people as similar to Jesus overturning tables and beating the money changers at the Temple. I find this justification completely unChristian. First, as Christians, we believe that Jesus was the Messiah, with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prevented his followers (I’m specifically thinking of Peter in the garden) from committing acts of violence. Therefore, unless a Christian has been given specific authority by God and can raise people from the dead, we should not claim the perfect judgment capabilities to physically attack people and property. Second, the Temple gave special status to the money changers, which brought money to the Temple. They were more akin to the IRS than to a mom and pop store. Jesus was targeting authorities and those who aided authorities that oppressed its own people or did nothing to stop the oppression and abuse.