In the recent execution of Harris County Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth, Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman linked that execution to the Black Lives Matter movement. I believe this is a prime example of polarizing rhetoric that is at the root of many of the challenges our communities face.
Sheriff Goforth was shot in the back of his head while filling his patrol car with gas. The death was horrendously shocking and sent a wave of fear and anger throughout Harris County and beyond. I grieve with the Goforth family. I attended Sheriff Goforth’s funeral to show my support for his work and for his family.
This is Personal
I have a nephew and several friends who serve in law enforcement so for me this is personal. I believe that law enforcement personnel put themselves in harm’s way on behalf of the peace and safety of all of us in the community, and every possible means should be taken to insure that they are respected and honored as the community servants that they are. I can only imagine the kinds of life and death situations that these women and men find themselves in on a daily basis where split second decisions have to be made. I stand for giving law enforcement the benefit of the doubt, making it more possible for them to do their jobs effectively.
Recognizing the Justice System is Biased
I also believe that our justice system is biased in a variety of ways against poor and black people in our country. I believe that for anyone who is willing to explore the topic of systemic injustice there is abundant evidence that it exists in many places. I believe that our justice system favors wealthy white people. So, there are stories of law enforcement officers acting beyond their authority in ways that result in death and destruction. I believe that these law enforcement officers should be punished to the full extent of the law.
It would be nice if there was a crystal clear line that irrevocably clarified when the line was crossed. There is not, and when we near the line, polarizing conversation only makes the line more fuzzy.
Learning to Hold Competing Ideas in Tension
In my work with emotional maturity, one of the things that I have learned is that emotionally mature people hold competing ideas in tension. I support efforts to honor and respect law enforcement, and I support the Black Lives Matter movement. Do all lives matter? Of course they do? Do police lives matter? I think I’ve made my view on that crystal clear. But the systemic injustice that is present in our criminal justice system requires that we stand against that injustice. Black Lives Matter is a movement that is garner support for actions that will address the systemic injustice. No one is saying that black lives matter more. We are saying that in many situations they matter less – and that is an injustice that must be addressed.
Learning to hold competing ideas in tension is recognizing that it isn't one or the other but one and the other. Click To TweetHolding tension means that I don’t pitt the execution of a law enforcement officer against the commitment to address the systemic injustice in our criminal justice system. It’s not one or the other. It’s one and the other.