Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Support independent, faith-based journalism. Donate
Search Search this site

Who is the Good Samaritan now?

OpinionStarlette McNeill  |  September 29, 2016

Starlette McNeillAnother day, another police officer-involved shooting. These national tragedies are happening with frightening regularity. So much so that we don’t need narration; we know the end from the beginning: “He had a gun.” “I felt that my life was in danger.” “He looks like a bad dude.”

Release his mugshot. Talk about his past criminal record or his drug addiction. “No charges will be filed but we will provide more training.”

Or, in the case of Freddie Gray’s death, though ruled a homicide, no one is found guilty. But someone did it. I mean, he didn’t kill himself.

Still, our criminal justice system refuses to point the finger at itself. It will plead the Fifth Amendment before it confesses to complicity in these crimes. And this response only increases the lack of trust in the African-American community.

Because when police officers break the law and their comrades serve their own interests and protect them, no one is safe. When police officers break the law, the standard of right conduct and belief in good judgment is lost. When police officers break the law, it calls into question the validity and value of the law. If they won’t follow it, then why enforce it? When police officers break the law, they break the trust of the people.

This country has a police brutality problem. This country has a race problem. And it needs to rid itself of both. Period.

Captured in hash tags like #TerenceCrutcher, whose death has also been ruled a homicide for which Officer Betty Shelby has been charged with manslaughter, their deaths are telling a story that some of us don’t want to hear anymore. For different reasons, we don’t want to hear it again and we are tired of the same comments. Dr. King quotes won’t fix it. And don’t talk about his dream when we allow this nightmare to keep occurring.

Frankly, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been a hash tag too. He was routinely harassed, falsely imprisoned and even subjected to FBI surveillance. He was considered a terrorist and labeled unpatriotic. King was called by then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover “the most notorious liar in the country.” Interestingly enough, the statement was made before King’s trip to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. I guess he thought that King’s statements about the poor social and economic conditions of African Americans were overblown. He didn’t need to start a civil rights movement. This has all been said and done before. #JamesEarlCheney #AndrewGoodman #MichaelSchwerner

Consequently, more sensitivity training and body cameras will amount to nothing if we don’t begin to feel for ourselves the real pain inflicted upon the psyche of the African-American community, if we don’t begin to examine the prejudices and stereotypes that we hold. Instead, we must become something more than an empathic listener because at this juncture, there are no innocent bystanders. We are all witnesses. We need to all testify to this systemic injustice.

The truth is, this has been happening my entire life. #RodneyKing. #AbnerLouima. #AmadouDiallo. The story surrounding Rodney King’s injuries would have been different if not for the videotape of a bystander, George Holliday. It is said that King was hit and kicked some 56 times in addition to being shocked with a taser. All of this was done while other police officers looked on and initially none of the officers was found guilty. Cue the L.A. riots.

Abner Louima was arrested and sodomized with a broomstick in the 70th precinct station house in Brooklyn. C’mon guys. That was a lot more than “stop and frisk.”

In the case of Diallo, the police officers thought that he had a gun. Forty-one bullets later, they discovered that it was his wallet. All of the officers were found not guilty.

Yes, this disappointment, frustration and pain runs deep. The history of distrust of police officers goes farther back than my memory. African-American parents have been telling their children to be careful when they leave the house and in certain neighborhoods for centuries. #paddyrollers. #KuKluxKlan. Forgive me if I decline the invitation for more talk of trust-building because this is not just about trust. In too many instances, police officers are not serving nicely and need to learn to keep their guns to themselves.

Samuel Proctor wrote in his book My Moral Odyssey, “A crucial characteristic of the incubator that fosters the affirmation of one’s personhood is that one looks around and sees in it order and meaning.” But what kind of order does the African-American community see when police officers make false reports, bend the rules and break the law? What meanings are being seared in the minds of the next generation of African-American motorists when they see their family member, friend or neighbor lying dead in the street after a traffic stop? If they have a license to drive, then police officers have a license to shoot and kill them.

Body after body lying in the street, I have what Proctor calls “questions that will not wait.” Today, I am wondering, “Who is the Good Samaritan now?” When an African American falls into the hands of the police, is shot and left for dead, who will come near him, see him and be moved to help (Luke 10.25.37)?

The pastors are silent. #WhiteChurchSilent. Many Christians look the other way, shift their feet and the blame. But who will stay and bandage the wound, put him in their car and take him to the hospital? Who will show mercy?

Tomorrow is another chance. Will there be another police-involved shooting of an African American and who will be the Good Samaritan? I challenge you to change the narrative. Because right now, no one is stopping to help him.


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:racismMartin Luther King JrStarlette McNeillBlack Lives MatterGood Samaritanpolice shootingpolice brutalityFreddie GrayTerence CrutcherJames Earl CheneyAndrew GoodmanMichael SchwernerRodney KingAbner LouimaAmadou DialloSamuel ProctorMy Moral Odyssey#WhiteChurchSilent
Starlette McNeill
More by
Starlette McNeill
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • Next BNG free webinar will survey global religious issues and human rights

      News

    • ‘Postcards from Babylon’ documentary tells a better story

      Analysis

    • Christian symbols and sedition at the Capitol: The church has work to do

      Opinion

    • What should pastors do if their members helped incite the Capitol riots?

      Analysis


    Curated

    • Joanne Rogers, widow of ‘Mr. Rogers,’ dead at age 92

      Joanne Rogers, widow of ‘Mr. Rogers,’ dead at age 92

      January 15, 2021
    • Israel hopes to vaccinate Holocaust survivors to save and repay ‘treasured’ population

      Israel hopes to vaccinate Holocaust survivors to save and repay ‘treasured’ population

      January 15, 2021
    • Conspiracy theories and the ‘American Madness’ that gripped the Capitol

      Conspiracy theories and the ‘American Madness’ that gripped the Capitol

      January 15, 2021
    • Anti-Semitism seen in Capitol insurrection raises alarms

      Anti-Semitism seen in Capitol insurrection raises alarms

      January 14, 2021
    Read Next:

    Seminarian, CBF and Georgia church find fellowship together

    NewsJeff Brumley

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Inspiration from voices of American diversity

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • The Broken Heart of America paints a picture of how racism erodes a city over time and how to overcome it

      AnalysisTom Clifton

    • Some hard questions for reflection on this MLK Day

      OpinionSid Smith III

    • Let’s move beyond the easy answers and MLK quotes today

      OpinionCraig Nash

    • The blasphemy of Franklin Graham

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • In New York City, serving the homeless offered a clue for how to serve trauma victims during the pandemic

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • At Central Seminary, Durso inauguration moves to virtual platform

      NewsBNG staff

    • 10 prayers for 2021 (if we survive January)

      OpinionErich Bridges

    • Why ‘moderate’ churches fear telling it like it is

      OpinionEric Minton

    • Kentucky seminary receives Baugh Foundation grant to start Institute for Black Church Studies

      NewsPat Cole

    • American Protestants less open to sermons on race in 2020, survey finds

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • 3 current trends youth leaders need to know

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • 4 things you can do to counter the millions of Americans who are fully radicalized

      OpinionCorey Fields

    • Christian symbols and sedition at the Capitol: The church has work to do

      OpinionRhonda Abbott Blevins

    • ‘Postcards from Babylon’ documentary tells a better story

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • Give yourself some grace during the pandemic

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • What should pastors do if their members helped incite the Capitol riots?

      AnalysisAndrew Gardner

    • Seminarian, CBF and Georgia church find fellowship together

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Understanding the trauma and finding hope after the siege of the nation’s Capitol

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • New effort to repeal federal death penalty is beginning

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Why I long for the church of my youth

      OpinionRichard T. Hughes

    • ‘He being dead, yet speaketh’

      OpinionHarold Ivan Smith

    • Barna advice to pastors: Talk honestly about emotions and relationships

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Toxic masculinity, 24-hour news and complacency fed the Jan. 6 riots

      OpinionJohn Jay Alvaro

    • Trump administration pushes evangelical agenda through last-minute actions

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • In New York City, serving the homeless offered a clue for how to serve trauma victims during the pandemic

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • At Central Seminary, Durso inauguration moves to virtual platform

      NewsBNG staff

    • Kentucky seminary receives Baugh Foundation grant to start Institute for Black Church Studies

      NewsPat Cole

    • American Protestants less open to sermons on race in 2020, survey finds

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • 3 current trends youth leaders need to know

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Seminarian, CBF and Georgia church find fellowship together

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • New effort to repeal federal death penalty is beginning

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Barna advice to pastors: Talk honestly about emotions and relationships

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Trump administration pushes evangelical agenda through last-minute actions

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Trump’s parting gift echos his immigration policies toward Africa

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC seminary presidents meet with Black pastors but don’t change position on Critical Race Theory

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Q&A with Michael McMahon of the Hymn Society of North America

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Western Recorder, second oldest Baptist paper in America, to cease publication

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: No need to ‘call me back’ to my faith after supporting Trump

      NewsBNG staff

    • Clergy advocate to repeal death penalty in Virginia

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Denominational leaders denounce Capitol violence while evangelicals offer mixed responses

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • D.C. church hangs huge Black Lives Matter banners in view of Trump rally

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Pastors respond to unbelievable events at Capitol on Epiphany 2021

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 1-8-21

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Donors keep Judson College open for spring semester

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • 25 years ago this week, five Baptist churches were booted for affirming gay members

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Next BNG free webinar will survey global religious issues and human rights

      NewsBNG staff

    • With in-person disaster relief work curtailed due to COVID, Louisiana volunteers came up with a new idea

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Inspiration from voices of American diversity

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • Some hard questions for reflection on this MLK Day

      OpinionSid Smith III

    • Let’s move beyond the easy answers and MLK quotes today

      OpinionCraig Nash

    • The blasphemy of Franklin Graham

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • 10 prayers for 2021 (if we survive January)

      OpinionErich Bridges

    • Why ‘moderate’ churches fear telling it like it is

      OpinionEric Minton

    • 4 things you can do to counter the millions of Americans who are fully radicalized

      OpinionCorey Fields

    • Christian symbols and sedition at the Capitol: The church has work to do

      OpinionRhonda Abbott Blevins

    • Give yourself some grace during the pandemic

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Understanding the trauma and finding hope after the siege of the nation’s Capitol

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • Why I long for the church of my youth

      OpinionRichard T. Hughes

    • ‘He being dead, yet speaketh’

      OpinionHarold Ivan Smith

    • Toxic masculinity, 24-hour news and complacency fed the Jan. 6 riots

      OpinionJohn Jay Alvaro

    • A lesson from 19th century North Carolina: Lost cause, lost opportunity

      OpinionGreg Jarrell

    • Dear white Christians, are you done praying yet?

      OpinionNatasha Nedrick

    • I’ve been accused of sowing hate

      OpinionKim Brewer

    • It’s past time to admit the hard truths behind the Capitol riots

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • Truth Decay: Truth is interpersonal and covenantal

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Why resisting gaslighting in the wake of sedition is self-care

      OpinionJonathan Davis

    • Four tools the church has to recover those who followed Trump’s siren song

      OpinionMichael Chancellor

    • Let’s make America great again

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • How to become the hope of 2021

      OpinionAmber Cantorna

    • Broken churches, broken nation: Will evangelicals ‘recalculate’ or rebel?    

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • We need to call Trump Christians back to the faith they left

      OpinionSusan M. Shaw, Senior Columnist

    • Remember that Epiphany ends with Herod’s terror

      OpinionAlyssa Aldape

    • Joanne Rogers, widow of ‘Mr. Rogers,’ dead at age 92

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Israel hopes to vaccinate Holocaust survivors to save and repay ‘treasured’ population

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Conspiracy theories and the ‘American Madness’ that gripped the Capitol

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anti-Semitism seen in Capitol insurrection raises alarms

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Most Evangelical Trump Voters Didn’t Turn on Mike Pence

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What four strangers of different faiths learned while living together during a pandemic

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In waning days of Trump presidency, Department of Health and Human Services undercuts religious liberty protections in new final rule

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How House chaplain calmed tense hours in besieged Capitol with prayers for ‘God’s covering’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Supreme Court wrestles with Georgia college free speech case

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How self-proclaimed ‘prophets’ from a growing Christian movement provided religious motivation for the Jan. 6 events at the US Capitol

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • For insurrectionists, a violent faith brewed from nationalism, conspiracies and Jesus

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Warnock condemns Capitol rioters in post-election sermon

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • A scholar of American anti-Semitism explains the hate symbols present during the US Capitol riot

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • SBC leader Russell Moore to Trump: Time to leave. ‘People are dead’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Catholic leaders, progressive and conservative, condemn the violence at the Capitol

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pro-Trump prayer meeting filled with calls for a ‘miracle’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • With his victory, Raphael Warnock becomes a member of a select club – pastor politician

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Faith groups among those calling for Trump’s impeachment after US Capitol occupation

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Warnock, Biden wins give twin thrills to religious liberals

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • As chaos hits Capitol, two forms of faith on display

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Warnock, pastor and politician, has role models who did both

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Sharpton: Firing officer who killed Andre Hill is not enough

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • As ‘Jericho Marchers’ descend on Washington, local faith leaders brace for attacks

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • African spirituality offers Black believers ‘decolonized’ Christianity

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Warnock, pastor and politician, has role models who did both

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2021 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS