Difficult Days

If you live in the United States, you have likely seen our city in the news.

Last Friday (3/6/2015), a Madison police officer shot and killed an unarmed African American man.  The officer was responding to a call that included an alleged assault by the suspect.

The officer entered the building the young man was seen entering.  The officer radioed that shots were fired and asked for an ambulance.

What happened?  We don't really know, and until the state's Department of Criminal Investigation is complete we are unlikely to know.  Even then, we may never know the full story.

It is a tragedy. 

Yes, black lives do matter.  The lives of all people matter. 

All God's people are valuable.  If a life is taken in the commitment of a crime - that is a tragedy as well. 

A tragedy to which we are so accustomed that it barely moves the public's needle.  A civilian taking the life of another makes the news, but rarely precipitates a protest.

Victims of crime should be in our prayers for healing.  Even those charged merit our prayers.  For those individuals and their families.

All lives matter.

The pain, outrage, and disappointment is understandable.  I am asking many of the same questions. 

Thankfully, so far the reaction by leaders of the African American community is one seeking and demanding answers.  Community leaders are also seeking solutions and finding a way to better understanding. 

Madison's Police Chief Mike Koval brought what is (unfortunately) an unusual approach to such things, humility, in his blog posted yesterday.

There is much to do.  There is a long way to go.

We rely on our law enforcement officials to keep the peace and appreciate the danger they face and the quick decisions they have to make.  It's a position that requires integrity, and we should keep all these men and women in our prayers.

Violent death is tragic.  The death of a young person, who should have a long life ahead of them, is especially difficult. 

We have much to learn from and about each other.  We are all God's children, needing to find ways to better understanding of each other.

There is some advice for each of us that can help: 
Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31