“You see, we’re all in this together. Let’s work for change.”

Everything that I said in the post prior to this one is from my heart. I believe the things I said are necessary in order for us to move forward, work together and eliminate this grave problem that is deeply woven into the fiber of this nation. I’m speaking of Racial Profiling which is a direct descendant and offspring of the blatant and overt racism of our past.

We have made great strides in this nation as a whole, but, like the dew in the morning we are daily sprinkled with the residue of our torrid segregated and racist past. The statistics speak for themselves. Over 50% of our nation in a CNN poll believes that Racism is a BIG PROBLEM here in American and close to 60% of African Americans say they experience some form of racism on a regular and continued basis. I co-chaired the Billy Graham Crusade when it was here in Jacksonville years ago and I had the great fortune of spending private time with Mr. Graham himself and he said to me alone and personally that he felt the #1 problem in this country and even in the church is racism. He actually said, “Even what you white brothers say about you to each other when you leave the room.” I was not shocked to hear the governor of Minnesota say today that he believes “race played a role in the police shooting of Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop.”

So on more of a personal note. My heart is broken to the point of tears that won’t stop flowing from my eyes. I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears two children subjected to viewing the deaths of their loved ones. I hear in my head that 15 year old boy turning to family members and crying out, “I want my daddy.” “My daddy.” “I want my daddy.” I can’t get out of my ears the sound of a 4 year old little girl in the back seat of a police car comforting her mother. A 4 year old baby responding out of shock saying to her mother who is sitting confused and handcuffed in the back of a police car, when she’s done nothing wrong, “That’s okay I’m right here with you.” “I’m here for you mommy.” A 4 year old little girl saying in essence, “I got you mommy.” A 4 year old saying, it’s gonna be alright, I’m here.

This type of stuff pulls on our emotions for sure, it has torn mine to pieces. So, as I weep I want it to be known that I have respect, and appreciation for every person that is showing restraint and chooses to use good judgment instead of having an emotional response through violence protest or premeditated retaliation as a result of these deaths. But, how do I really feel? I feel like the little girl in the backseat of that police car with no power to do anything at all to change the outcome or to heal her mother’s heart but she still says, “That’s okay, I’m right here with you.” How do I really feel? I feel like that 15 year old boy who cries from the deepest part of his soul that he wants his daddy, but all of the crying is not going to bring him back or change a thing.

I feel this way because I know that nothing I can say or nothing I can pray or do can change what has happened. I can’t cut out this bad patch of racism that has been woven into the fabric of this great nation. But like the young man I can cry out for my heavenly Father’s comfort and like the little girl I can say to all of those who will march and fight, protest and eventually see change come, “That’s okay, I’m right here with you.” “I’m right here.”

You see, we’re all in this together. Let’s work for change.

Even the President of the United States of America Barack Hussein Obama uttered his concern and shared these words:

First of all he said:

“All of us as Americans should be troubled by these shootings,” he continued. “These are not isolated incidents, they are symptomatic of a broader set of racial disparities that exist in our criminal justice system.”

Secondly, he said:
“All Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. We’ve seen such tragedies far too many times, and our hearts go out to the families and communities who’ve suffered such a painful loss.”

You’re right Mr. President. Yes sir, it hurts so bad. Really bad.

—Vaughn McLaughlin