In light of the recent activities in downtown Dallas against our police force, I thought I would say a few words. Mostly because, it has come to my attention that some people have let their love for another city, or the battle between which city is "better" get in the way of having sympathy for the officers and their families that threw their lives in harms way to save others.
Two nights ago, around 6 o'clock at night, we heard that shots were fired at a protest in the city. We didn't think much about it, in light of the world today, we just hoped it was not worse than just "shots". Around 9 o'clock my sister texted us to turn on the news if we can. From then until about 1 in the morning, I was glued to the TV. Watching as the numbers who had been shot went up, as did the number of fatalities. Fox news continued to show a live feed of the scene, as well as some videos they had received from civilians there. My sister and I texted who we could that we thought could be down there, as an officer. That friend, thankfully, was safe. Another friend of mine just joined the force in April. All Fox news would tell us was that at least 2 of the officers down were young, as in, they were new to the force. I had no way of getting a hold of this friend, just the ability to worry. And I did, while Fox news showed a video from a civilian watching from above. The shooter, or at least one shooter, hiding behind a pillar, then snuck up on a cop. He shot the corner to distract the cop the other way and then came up behind him and shot him... in the back of the head. The video continued to watch the shooter run away while the cop laid there. It was a few minutes before anyone else showed up on scene. I cannot even imagine being those officers, seeing one of their own like that.
And THAT, that was the thing that needed to be focused on that night. Not that there is violence in Dallas so no one should come here. Not that it is a bad neighborhood. All that needed to be focused on was that we have a fantastic police department who put their lives in harms way to protect the civilians that were in the city that night. Civilians who were protesting the police. And the police escorted their march, to protect them. That is what needs to be pointed out. Five men lost their lives that night in the deadliest attack on police since 9/11.
Dallas is our city. And just like every city, it's not all flowers and rainbows. There is violence, yes, just as there was violence in Ferguson a few years ago when I lived there, just as there is violence in Chicago, Detroit, Denver, everywhere. There are blacks and whites, and we cannot stereotype an entire race because of things that some of them have done. That goes for all races. And in the same way, we cannot stereotype all cops because of things that some of them have done. I am not condoning the actions of those in the wrong, violence for violence is not the answer. It is part of our sinful nature. Hatred. People let it consume them. We are told to love one another. Hate the sin, not the sinner.
Now, if there is one thing I learned from living in St. Louis for the past 2 years, it is that I really love Texas, and people from St. Louis, they really love St. Louis. And having pride for your city or your state is totally fine, but you do not get to bash someone else's city for violence. You wouldn't like it if they bashed your city, so please do not get onto our city for having violence. This should bring this country together, not divide us city by city. All that we can all do is pray. Come, Lord Jesus.
"Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil tings in their heart and stir up wars continually." Psalm 140:1-2
"Thus says the Lord God: Enough, O Princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God." Ezekiel 45:9
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