It all started as a simple tragedy. George Floyd, age 46, a 6’ 7” African-American was arrested in Minneapolis for allegedly trying to buy cigarettes with counterfeit money. Mr. Floyd was handcuffed and pinned to the ground for 30 minutes. ‘I can’t breath’ said the gentle giant’ as the officer continued to place pressure on his body. He lost consciousness, was taken to hospital, and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The four Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident were immediately fired. However, Devin CHAUVIN, age 44, a white former police officer, was charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter.
For many in the African-American community, this arrest was not enough. Why did it take days to arrest the former police officer? Why only a 3rd degree murder charge, not 1st degree? Why weren’t the other officers charged with murder, at least as accessories to the crime? The perception that a black man under white police is in greater peril than a white, continues on.
Peaceful protests were held but what happened next was an explosion – first in Minneapolis, where protests turned violent and looting ensued. The protests spread to 140 cities across the United States, morphing into violence and looting. Local police were attacked. Thousands of National Guardsmen were called out. The protests spread to Britain, Germany, and even New Zealand.
The protests appeared to be hijacked by ANTIFA (anti-fascist). ANTIFA had its origins in the 1920s and 30s, had a resurgence in the 1980s, and then came to life after the election victory of Donald Trump and his populist movement (just like the Tea Party came into being in response to the rise of Barack Obama and Christian Coalition to Bill Clinton). ANTIFA is against neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, white supremacy, racism, and what is termed the ‘Alt-Right.’ They dress in black, try to disrupt conservative events, and are willing to resort to violence, though some claim it is only for defensive purposes. They have been accused of using fascist means to fight ‘fascism.’
The Trump Administration has announced that ANTIFA is a domestic terrorist organisation. US Attorney General Bill Barr stated that the violence was planned, organised, utilising ANTIFA-tactics, and left leaning anarchy.
Recent circumstances have helped to contribute to this atmosphere of violence. Like a dry summer facilitates bushfires, so have stay@home edicts and lock-downs, which have caused the population to be restless, filling up once empty urban streets with angry protestors. There is record unemployment. Schools and universities are closed for the summer, giving student time to promote a ‘worthy cause.’ Normal entertainment and sporting events are currently suspended, thus creating a perfect storm for a caged, bored, outraged population with time on their hands.
Yet there’s more. The highly partisan, polarising atmosphere in Washington (including Russian collusion, impeachment), the on-going culture war, the default into tribalism. Remember Hurricane Katrina in August 2005? New Orleans was cannibalised – looters were even firing guns at helicopters trying to rescue stranded residents from the flooding. This kind of tribal chaos was happening years ago.
ASSESSMENT
What are we to make about this tragic turn of events? Please consider the following.
1. George Floyd had a definite Christian connection https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html
2. True justice, based on verifiable facts, must be the goal. Thuggery, whether it is police brutality or damaging and looting property, must not be tolerated.
3. Racism is wrong and so is rioting. None of this brings justice or helps anyone.
4. The needed conversation about apparent racism in America was derailed by the riots;
5. The African-American community is receiving negative publicity, even though many of them decry the violence being done in their name (especially by black clad white people). Some of the nicest, sweetest, most courteous people you can meet in America are the African-Americans, and many are Christians. This is not fair on them.
6. The violence is destructive and hurtful by everyone and is fuelled by groups with evil intentions.
HOW SHALL WE RESPOND?
Let us recognise America Ablaze for what it really is — a spiritual issue. According to John 10:10:
Jesus Himself comments that ‘The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’
The wanton destruction, theft, and injury, is satanically-inspired with the goal of stealing, killing, and destroying. Christ takes the opposite approach to of bringing people into abundant life.
In Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The greatest enemy is not the one you see, but the ones you don’t. For this reason we are exhorted to put on ‘the whole armour of God.’
Our readers are urged to pray for the following points:
1. Justice: For George Floyd and the African-American community. May it be based on facts and reality, not narrative and rumour.
2. Patience: May calm and maturity take over across America and may leaders lead in this area.
3. Peace: May the rioting and looting cease and may affected neighbourhoods and cities receive the much needed peace and security they deserve.
4. Restoration: To the people, buildings, businesses, and homes that have be damaged in the unrest. As small businesses are struggling to overcome the Covid-19 economic downturn, may there be a miraculous recovery for all concerned.
5. Revival: For years now, this author has advocated what has become the only solution to our political, economic, social, and spiritual problems. It is called ‘revival,’ meaning to ‘come alive again.’ II Chronicles 7:14 is the classic verse on this topic: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (emphasis mine).
If you cannot remember any other point, remember this one — for the good of us all.
