When I started researching confirmed cases of police brutality that have occurred in the United States within the past 15 years my objectives were to:

1. determine the number and types of substantiated cases;
2. identify the race/ethnicity and gender of the law enforcement officials and suspects most often involved in police brutality cases;
3.  develop an action plan with a specific objective and three to five measureable goals;
4. share that action plan with likeminded people, including captains of local police precincts;
5. encourage local municipalities to establish a safe way for police to report abuse without fear of retribution.

The preliminary results of that research are highlighted in a post I wrote titled, “A Call for Action.” My hope is the post will raise awareness about the widespread practice and frequent use of excessive force by law enforcement officials. I also hope that after reading the post readers are catapulted to form coalitions that work with local precincts to eradicate police brutality.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6

Rejection in one form or another is common to the human experience,  and not every rejection is personal or exacted to cause harm.  For example, the denial of a request for credit means the lender rejects the request to borrow; it does not mean the lender has rejected the requester.   Similarly, when a candidate loses his or her bid for elected office voters reject the candidate’s ideas, not the candidate.  Likewise, the loving and sound advice of a parent that is rejected by his or her child does not mean the child rejects the parent.  To the contrary, the child simply rejects the parent’s advice about a particular situation.  As illustrated by the preceding examples, rejection is not always the repudiation of an individual.

Matthew 7:6 is part of The Sermon on the Mount that Jesus delivered to his followers. At the time, Jesus’ claims about himself were extremely controversial and not widely accepted. It was against that backdrop that Jesus warned his followers about the violent rejections they would incur because of the, then, “radical” views and proclamations they would make about Jesus’ Divine nature and about the new way of life Jesus’ followers were to adopt.

A paraphrase of the referenced passage might read: “Do not share spiritual gifts with those who lack the spiritual depth to appreciate the worth of what is offered. Know that you will encounter some so vehemently opposed to what you teach that they may try to destroy you.”  It is clear from any reasonable paraphrase or translation of the text that Jesus was not referring to simple differences of opinions or disagreements. Instead Jesus was warning his followers that their message about Him would so incense some, that the intended recipients might revert to violence against the messengers in an attempt to destroy the message.

Despite the historical context in which Matthew 7:6 was given, the passage offers a model for dealing with those rejections that intend to denigrate, embarrass, isolate, subjugate, or show disdain. Examples include the ruse of inviting a person to a party for the sole purpose of humiliating him or her.  The whole point of the cruel prank is to show the person that the prankster rejects the victim as part of his or her group. Similarly, an invitation to an event that is extended to every classmate except one (with whom there is no conflict) signals repudiation of the excluded person. Exclusion is a form of repudiation and repudiation is always meant to denigrate. When harm is the intent of rejection, the words of Mathew 7:6 make it clear that the rejection reflects the disturbed nature of the one doing the rejecting and does not depreciate the worth of the rejected person.

We are created by and in God’s image. Therefore, we are valuable even if our worth is not acknowledged by others. Moreover, 1 Corinthians 6:9 reads, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”  No amount of rejection can take away from the power of that truth.

A Biblical Response to Personal Rejection

1. Rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 4:4
2. Ask God for help in distinguishing between the rejection of ideas and the rejection of a person.
3. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:7
4. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6: 28
5. Put on the whole armor of God in order to withstand attacks. Ephesians 6:11
6. Stay away from those who don’t appreciate your worth. Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5
7. Pray for God to help you overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
8. Cast your burdens-hurt, disappointment, dejection- on the Lord.1 Peter 5:7
9. Know that God will use the harm that was leveled against you to His glory and to your good. Romans 8:28
10. Remember, God loves you. John 3:16

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6

In the preceding passage, Jesus highlights the danger of and warns against giving valuables to those who either don’t appreciate the worth of what is offered; or who resent the gift giver.

Implicit in the passage is the notion that the rejection of a genuine offer of a gift reflects the disturbed nature of the intended recipient, and does not in any way reflect negatively upon the gift or upon the one offering the gift. Conversely, the passage suggests the sick nature of the intended recipient is evidenced by his or her violent response to a valuable gift.

Additionally, a  rebuffed offer of: friendship, love, trust, loyalty, time, talent, companionship, or sound advice, does not in any way depreciate the worth of the gift giver or the gift. His or her worth is inherent because he or she was created by and in the image of the Creator.

Responding to Personal Rejection?

1. Rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 4:4

2.  Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:7

3.  Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6: 28

4.  Put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians so that you can quench the fiery darts of the devil. 6:11

5. Shake the dust off of your feet. Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5

6. Pray for God to help you overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21:

7.  Remember:  some things come about only through prayer. Mark 9:29

7.  Have faith in God

8. Stop talking with those who  don’t value our opinions.

9. Stop associating with those who think less of us than they think of themselves.

10. Stop hobnobbing with people who don’t want  us around.

11.  Stop trying to help people who don’t want our help.

12.  Heed Jesus’ warning and stop giving to those who don’t want us or our valuables. For not only will they reject our gifts; they may eventually try to destroy us.

The recent highly publicized killings of unarmed black men by police officers have stirred up feelings of outrage and frustration within  objective and fair-minded people from every walk of life. In response to those killings and the resultant feelings of shock and despair for the victims and the victims’ families, people have united and are making a public cry for justice for the victims. These groups want the offending officers subjected to the same legal procedures other Americans who commit similar crimes experience. They want the responsible officers arrested, charged, and tried.  They also want the killings investigated by a body independent of local influence.

Some of those demanding justice for the victims, including me, view police killings of unarmed people as symptomatic of a larger problem in the nation’s police forces. That problem is the abuse of legal authority by those officers who use their power to brutalize people, and then attempt to cover up their crimes by levying false charges against helpless suspects.  As the following list highlights police brutality is widespread and occurs more frequently than some want to admit. However, the list is not exhaustive.  For example, the Abner Louima case is the only sexual assault case noted. But numerous law enforcement officials have been convicted of sexual assault.

The List

• Rodney King was beaten mercilessly by police officers in Los Angeles, California on March 3, 1991. He survived his injuries. King was unarmed.
• Jonny Gammage died as the result of injuries sustained from a beating by police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 12, 1995. Gammage was unarmed.
• Amadou Diallo was shot to death in front of his apartment building by police officers in New York City on February 4, 1999.  He was shot forty-one times.  Diallo was unarmed.
• Sean Bell was shot to death by police officers in New York City on November 26, 2006. Bell was unarmed. ’
• Abner Louima sustained major injuries from being sodomized with a broken off broom handle by a police officer in New York City on August 7, 1999. Louima was unarmed.
• Sara Lesende was brutally beaten by a police officer in Newark, NJ in October 2004. Sara was unarmed.
• Oscar Grant was shot to death by a police officer in Oakland, California on January 1, 2009. Grant was unarmed.
• Michael Brown was shot to death in broad daylight by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014. Brown was unarmed.
• Alexander Landau was severely beaten by police officers in Denver, Colorado in January 2009
• Quadriplegic Brian Sterner was dumped out of his wheelchair by a law enforcement official in Hillsborough County, Florida on January 29, 2008.  Sterner was unarmed.
• Jordan Miles was beaten to a pulp by police in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 12, 2010. Miles was unarmed.
• Eric Garner died as the result of police officers in Stanton Island, NY placing Garner in a choke hold on July 17, 2014. Garner was unarmed.
• Jianqing “Jessica” Klyzek was struck by a police officer while she was handcuffed and kneeling, and unarmed. The incident occurred in Chicago, Illinois and was caught on video tape.
•  Michael McCloskey was riding his motorcycle when he was pulled over by police and shot without provocation. The entire incident was captured on tape by a police dashboard camera. The incident took place in Ohio. Mcclosky was unarmed.

The preceding list gives a sampling of police brutality. If police brutality is to stop level-headed people who are passionate about justice must coalesce and work with captains of local police precincts. To achieve the objective of stopping police brutality the following measureable goals are offered.

• Equip every police officer with a body camera that must be worn at all times while the officer is on duty.
• Equip each police vehicle with a dash camera.
• Require each municipality to establish a civilian review board that includes clergy.  (Clergy members should rotate biannually to insure every faith tradition in the community is represented on the review board.)
• Insist law enforcement create a safe space for police officers to report police brutality without fear of retribution. The fear of retribution- loss of life, liberty, and income- makes it very difficult for decent law-abiding law enforcement officials to blow the whistle on fellow officers.

With conflicting emotions I acknowledge and process the passing of Ruth Taylor, a 101-year-old member of my church- Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green (BPCOG). On the one hand I am happy for Ruth because according to Scripture, “…to be absent from the body is to be [forever] present with the Lord.” On the other hand, Ruth’s absences will be deeply felt by those who love and knew her, however slight that acquaintance.

Prior to her passing I hadn’t known Ruth very long, nor did I know her well. In fact we only met a few years ago when I joined BPCOG, and we only saw each other at church related activities. But, when we did run into each other Ruth was kind, polite, and engaging. It is a great testimony to her charitable and generous spirit that she positively impacted one whom she hardly knew and with whom she rarely came into contact.

I am sure Ruth is resting in peace. She is in the presence of the One we love and adore because He first loved us and gave His life to ransom us from the power and penalty of sin. May the Spirit of the only true, wise, and living God comfort and encourage the hearts of all those who love and knew Ruth Taylor.

1. Seek professional help when necessary!
2. Learn to love and to like yourself. Accomplishing this will reduce your need for seeking acceptance by and the approval of others.
3. Look for a silver lining. Once you find it, grab it and hold on to it until you come across the next silver lining. Know that life is full of silver linings, you just have to look for them.
4. Create positive mind movies. It is your mind; use it to your benefit.
5. Work to make your dreams reality.
6. Acknowledge your mistakes and allow yourself the freedom to grow from them; be gracious to those who offend you.
7. View your position in the world as it really is: a cog in the gigantic circle of life.
8. Remember: neither a title nor a profession define you.
9. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
10. Make amends, when and where possible.
11. Pray always and about everything.
12. Strive to live a meaningful life.
13. Never repay evil with evil.
14. Do the right things for the right reasons.
15. Abstain from engaging in, listening to, and spreading rumors. Gossip destroys/kills.

To outsiders the extremists within a group tend to become the poster children or face of the group. Unfortunately, such views lead to stereotyping. Examples include the millions of otherwise rational people for whom members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) represent the face of American Southern Whites. For many, ISIL and al-Qaeda worldviews have come to represent Islam. Outrageously, to others the term “terrorist” is synonymous with Muslim. Similarly, highly publicized instances of brutality by law enforcement officials, a few examples are listed below, have led to the stereotyping of police officers as renegade agents of brutality. That belief is unfair and untrue.

Listed below are the names of police officials known to have exercised brutality against peaceful and unarmed citizens. 

•Bull Connor, former Commissioner of Public Safety for the city of Birmingham, Alabama during the height of the American Civil Rights movement
Justin Volpe, a former New York police officer who sodomized a prisoner with a broom handle
•Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Missouri police officer who gunned down an unarmed civilian
•the five Los Angeles, California police officers caught on camera mercilessly beating Rodney King in 1991
•The murder of Oscar Grant (Fruitvale Station) by a police officer

The previously referenced examples coupled with the countless incidents of intimidation and abuse of power by police officers that are not reported (because of fear;;) or that are not investigated when they are reported, have helped shape the stereotypical image of police officers as legal bullies. That characterization is unfair because there are probably millions of police officers who are committed to serving and protecting the public and not to using their authority to kowtow civilians.

Law enforcement officers have a tough job. They put their lives on the line every time they put on the uniform. Following is a very short list of law enforcement officials who were murdered while performing their jobs, or who died as the result of injuries sustained from criminals who attacked the officers while the officers were in the commission of their jobs.

•Rookie Cop Melvin Santiago, in Jersey City, New Jersey; ambushed and killed by gunfire
•Agent Carlos Rivera-Vega, Puerto Rico; killed by gunfire
•Police Officer Krisitian Willihight, Burns Flat, Oklahoma; killed in a vehicle pursuit
•Sergeant Cory Wride, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, UT; killed by gunfire
•Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, FL; killed by gunfire
•Correctional Officer Amanda Baker, Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, NE- killed by assault
•Detective John Hobbs, Phoenix Police Department, AZ; killed by gunfire
•Officer Jason Crisp, United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, US; killed by gunfire
•Police Officer Daryl Pierson, Rochester Police Department, NY; killed by gunfire
•Trooper Christian Skinner; New York State Police, NY; killed by vehicular assault

The names of the officials listed above are unknown to most of us. The stories of their tragic deaths have been woefully underreported, and except in a few cases the national media has paid very little attention to the violence perpetrated against the officers.

As the preceding list indicates, there are sick people willing and, in some cases, determined to harm or kill police officers. Their crimes are every bit as heinous as those committed by the corrupt law enforcement officials noted in the first list. However, unlike police officers civilian assailants are not sworn to uphold the law nor to serve and protect the public. Moreover, we expect law enforcement officials to be more moral than the criminals with whom they come in contact.

Distinguishing good cops from bad cops is a difficult task for many. Therefore, as in other cases of stereotyping corrupt cops have become the face of law enforcement. That is not a good thing and police departments must work hard to change that image by regaining the public’s trust.

Justifiably so, from nearly every segment of American society strong cries have risen for Ray Rice, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens NFL franchise, to receive stiffer punishment for the physical assault he committed several months ago against his then fiancée (the couple has since married). There are even some calling for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to step down because critics think the punishment he initially rendered against Rice- suspending Rice for two games- was too lenient. Many of Goodell’s critics don’t believe his claim that up until a few days ago he [Goodell] did not have access to the video that depicts Rice committing the assault. They think Goodell purposely avoided viewing the video in order to allow Rice to keep playing professional football.

Whether Goodell intentionally avoided viewing the assault video is pure speculation, at least at this point. Calls for him to step down seem over the top. The commissioner took the action that he thought was beneficial to the Ravens’ organization and the NFL. Some people obviously disagree with that decision. On the other hand, there is no question that Ray Rice’s actions were absolutely reprehensible and that he should suffer the repercussions of his illegal, unethical and immoral behavior. So should Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, MO police officer who killed an unarmed and, by every objective witness, nonthreatening, surrendering to the police, 18-year-old.

Unlike Ray Rice, Wilson has not suffered any professional or legal consequences for his barbaric killing, which some describe as an assassination, of Michael Brown. As far as we know Wilson has not been suspended without pay. Nor has he lost his job or civil liberties. He has not even been charged with a crime.

It is hypocritical to call for Commissioner Goodell to step down and to call for Ray Rice to receive stiffer punishment but to not call for Darren Wilson, an officer sworn to uphold the law, to be charged and tried for gunning down an unarmed civilian who was trying to surrender. Violence, except in the case of authentic self-defense, is wrong. Perpetrators, including police officers, who commit unjustifiable acts of violence should be arrested, charged, and tried. Darren Wilson’s brutal killing of Michael Brown falls into that category. Therefore, Wilson should be arrested for and charged with the cold-blooded killing of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old, unarmed person, who was trying to surrender at the time of his killing.

Let there be justice for all!!

August 24, 2014

Like many other Americans, over the past few weeks I have pondered the killing of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed man, by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. Only the deceased teen and Darren Wilson-the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown- know what events led to the killing. However, in the wake of Brown’s death many Ferguson, MO leaders and other citizens have asked for an impartial investigation into the killing. To show support for such an investigation and to protest the gunning down of Brown, some Ferguson, MO residents organized peaceful protests.
Unfortunately, opportunistic criminals exploited the emotions of the grieving Ferguson residents and used the protests to perform their dastardly deeds of looting and stirring up trouble. The looters should be arrested, charged, and tried for their crimes against the people of Ferguson. Also, the looters should not be confused with the peaceful protestors.
As if the looters’ actions are not reprehensible enough, there are people protesting to support Darren Wilson’s right to kill unarmed people. This is ludicrous! It is almost inconceivable that law-abiding citizens are calling for police to have the right to kill unarmed citizens at will, or based solely upon a police officer’s personal lapse in judgment.
Officer Wilson is not charged with a crime in the shooting death of Michael Brown nor has he been fired from his job. Therefore, those protesting on Wilson’s behalf are making a frightening argument for him (and by implication for police officers everywhere) to have the right to kill at will unarmed and nonthreatening citizens. Moreover, the actions of Wilson’s protestors simply serve to deepen the divide and heighten the already tense relations that exists between the Ferguson PD and some Ferguson, Mo residents.
It is unbelievable that one group is protesting for a fair investigation into Michael Brown’s death while the other group is openly protesting for Officer Wilson’s actions not to be investigated by an impartial and independent source. One person-Michael Brown- is dead at the hands of Officer Darren Wilson. On the other hand, Officer Wilson has lost nothing, including his job. His actions are simply being investigated and for that his supporters are up in arms.
Perhaps Wilson’s supporters don’t want an investigation for fear the results will prove Darren Wilson overreacted and failed to exercise appropriate professional restraint and discretion. Perhaps they don’t want to admit that Wilson’s lack of self-control resulted in the unnecessary and tragic death of an unarmed and nonthreatening, to Darren Wilson, person.

August 9, 2014
Dear Friend,

Greetings and peace to you in the blessed name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I trust God this brief letter finds you and yours in the best of health. Hopefully you have had the pleasure this summer of spending time outside experiencing the beauty and joy of nature. (When you get time, write back and share some of your experiences with me.)

As usual there are a great many things on my mind. One of the most pressing thoughts I have been contemplating is developing a practical understanding of the phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:5, “…it [love] keeps no record of wrongs.” An unwanted divorce, infidelity, betrayal, or being undermined by trusted friends, family members, or colleagues are examples of painful things that are not easy to get over or to forget. Yet when the referenced phrase is read in context, it clearly connotes those who possess authentic love do not keep a record of such things.

What does it mean to not keep a record of wrongdoings? One thought is it means not to dwell upon the offenses others commit against us. Perhaps it also means that authentic love (agape love) acknowledges hurt but erases the pain and does not leave room in the heart for resentment and thoughts of revenge.

However, “…It[love] keeps no record of wrongs…” doesn’t mean victims must remain in  partnership with those who have caused them harm. In fact, there are times when remaining in close proximity to one’s opponents might prove detrimental to both the victim and perpetrator. Therefore, it is probably good to love some people from a distance.

Well Friend, there is much more I could write; but the hour is late. So I will end for now. God willing,I shall write more another time. Until then, may the Spirit of the only true, wise, and living God continue to rest rule and abide with us.
Sincerely yours,

Allegra, your sister and servant in Christ
p.s. Don’t forget to drop me a few lines telling me about your summer. I am also very interested in hearing your interpretation of the phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:5.