BENJAMIN WATSON OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SHARES HIS THOUGHTS:

The news that Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for killing unarmed black teenager Michael Brown has penetrated deep into American society, eliciting a range of strong emotions from anger to compassion. Benjamin Watson, a tight end for New Orleans, captured the impact of the Brown case, and what it means for the state of race and justice in America.

In a Facebook post that has now gone viral, Watson expressed feeling angry, fearful, embarrassed, sad, confused, hopeless, hopeful, and a range of other emotions after the grand jury decided Wilson would not face any charges.

“I’m angry,” Watson wrote on Tuesday, “because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.”

Watson wrote of feeling sorrow, “Because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.”

Seeing hope for American society to resolve conflicts over race, Watson said that such tension is rooted in “sin,” and not “skin.” “The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope,” he wrote.

The Facebook post had been shared over 290,000 times as of Wednesday night, indicating the potency of Watson’s reflection. Many commenters on the post applauded his willingness to share and his ability to convey the impact of the Brown case.

The news of the grand jury’s decision broke Monday night, the same evening Watson was playing the Baltimore Ravens. Following the game, he put it into words, and shared his thoughts with the world on Tuesday.

******

Benjamin Watson

November 25 at 6:00pm ·

At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:

I’M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.

I’M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.

I’M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I’m a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a “threat” to those who don’t know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.

I’M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I’M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.

I’M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn’t there so I don’t know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.

I’M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I’ve seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.

I’M CONFUSED, because I don’t know why it’s so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don’t know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.

I’M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take “our” side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it’s us against them. Sometimes I’m just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that’s not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That’s not right.

I’M HOPELESS, because I’ve lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I’m not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.

I’M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it’s a beautiful thing.

I’M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.

Thank you to a young man who covers all of the bases.  Before Obama was elected the atmosphere in the country was improving even though the  mischief makers were still out there barking like dogs trying to make the black people think they are victims and that will never stop.  Too many people are making a lot of money causing this mischief (the Jesse Jacksons and the Al Sharptons).  Since Obama, he has worked 24 hours a day to make the race relations worse because it is to his advantage since he has nothing else to bring to the party.  He will go down in the history books as having been the worst president and rebel rouser in history.   It didn’t have to be this way!

kommonsentsjane