Violence again - GRRRRRR

-----  GRRR - NOT AGAIN - “When will we ever learn?” 

So, here we are the last Sunday in May.  And, unfortunately, here we are again - with racial tensions and riots around our country and world.

I’ve been writing and thinking about love - and yet we don’t seem to learn.

First - policing.  I understand being a policeman can be difficult.  A split second distinction can make a difference between life and death.  

A policeman sees somebody fleeing from a crime and has to decide - was that the perpetrator - was the crime significant to attempt to stop the person and what ramifications stopping the person might bring.  

We all have some bad days - and there are days we are tired - not enough sleep; upset by the COVID-19 virus; missing our previous lives - and policemen are called to make a judgment call.  But, can we make such judgment calls rationally?  Can we listen to both sides?  

OR - can we let that “WHITE HOT” fire of hate that burns within us - take over?  I don’t know the story - I have seen videos - I have read reports - and I do know that somethings can be taken out of context.  Even as I read (and spout) scriptures, they can be taken out of context.  

(In the past I sometimes said something I thought was funny, which in retrospect wasn’t.  I’ll admit I like humor - but when I say something of humor that is not in good taste or is not true, that I am wrong.)

Second - people.  This nation is very divided - politically, financially, socially, and even religiously.  I can try to calm and put out the fire - or I can pour gas on the fire.  

I accept the concept of “Non-Violent” protesting as I saw in Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.  There are battles we need to be in - even if we lose, and there are battles we need to stay away from.  But, we must stay away from violence - violence creates more violence (I wanted to say “violence begets violence!!”.  

Thrid - time.  

Q:  What do we want?

A:   Peace

Q:  When do we want it

A:   Now

Four - what can I do

Violence and hatred have existed almost forever, but not quite infinite. If you will violence entered the world with sin - and with Cain killing Abel.  (or, if that creation story isn’t part of your belief system, just trust me that violence has been around for a long time.). 

But, LOVE is INFINITE - eventually, LOVE WILL WIN!!  But, not in my lifetime.  

It took a long time to abolish slavery - and it still exists in some forms.  It took a long time to recognize women can vote and make decisions.  It took a long time to recognize that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (from the Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776).

It does get tiring to turn the other cheek again and again; to not hit back when struck; to give a quiet answer - and to work on loving one another.  

But, in my humble opinion, that must be my life-work until I die - to promote love, healing, forgiveness, understanding, and peace!!!

And, not to promote violence!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen