When I first saw the news of George Floyd’s death, I initially felt almost numb. As if an emotional wall went up that encouraged me to look away.

This was followed by a heavy sense of fatigue. That sense of fatigue is what has stayed with me.

I haven’t known what to say or if I should say anything. So, for the last week, I’ve listened.

America is a great place to live. I’ve had the great opportunity to travel to and live in many countries. But I’m always happy to come home.  But it is also a place where incredible injustices have been perpetuated, tolerated, and excused.

Greatness and injustice have coexisted for generations. That’s confusing and challenging to accept.

What is the message?

George Floyd’s death was unconscionable. His treatment was unjustifiable. He was denied the justice his killer, and those complicit, are likely to receive. And, rightly, that sparked protests.

In listening to the protests, this is what I hear:

• Deep pain, anger and frustration.
• Vandalized and violated trust.
• A demand that intrinsic worth and value be acknowledged.
• “Enough! Enough of killing black men!”

I may not be interpreting things accurately. But that is the core message, as I hear it.

What do you hear?

Unfortunately, these protests have been conflated, piggy-backed, and hijacked by others, with other agendas. Those people have created a lot of confusion and noise.  I’m afraid the core message will be drowned out.

What is needed?

I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect that the trauma and debasement experienced by generations may also require generations of repair, healing, and many, many incidents of reconciliation.

I used to think the views of others were invalid if they didn’t express them in a way I was comfortable with. I was wrong.

As a country, we’ve inherited blessings and curses. We can’t receive one and not acknowledge the other.

I write to leaders. As leaders:

• If we want healing, we have to learn to listen without reacting.
• If we want healing, we have to both be honest and accept honesty.
• If we want healing, we have to acknowledge the experience of others without minimization.
• If we want healing, we have to expect accountability.

I pray for healing.

Christian