Benjamin Watson is a professional athlete – a tight end for the National Football League\’s New Orleans Saints.
He has written a facebook post about Ferguson. It is honest – sometimes painfully so. It is introspective. And it is well worth your while to read.
I don\’t agree with the religious convictions espoused in Mr. Watson\’s last paragraph. But I agree with most everything else. And, in any event, he raises issues in an honest and direct way, which provides about 1,000 times more value than what most of the so-called “pundits” and assorted race hustlers/opportunists are barfing out at us.
Here it is, in its entirety:
Atsome point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday NightFootball, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying tofigure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are mythoughts:
I\’MANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down forgenerations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I\’MFRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these typesof police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitudethat continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safetymovie sets and music studios.
I\’MFEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I\’m a lawabiding 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 theextra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I\’MEMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breakingonly confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes andthus the inferior treatment.
I\’MSAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racialdivide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations,insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never knowthe truth about what happened that day.
I\’MSYMPATHETIC, because I wasn\’t there so I don\’t know exactly whathappened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as anofficer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like anyof us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlashagainst himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job.What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael andignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering theyoung man to prove a point.
I\’MOFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I\’ve seen that are notonly insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I\’MCONFUSED, 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 theirpower. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lordover the populace.
I\’MINTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take “our” sidewithout looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes Ifeel like it\’s us against them. Sometimes I\’m just as prejudiced aspeople I point fingers at. And that\’s not right. How can I look atwhite skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made aboutme? That\’s not right.
I\’MHOPELESS, because I\’ve lived long enough to expect things like thisto continue to happen. I\’m not surprised and at some point my littlechildren are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and allthat it entails.
I\’MHOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues inAmerica, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parentsand grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships withteammates, friends and mentors. And it\’s a beautiful thing.
I\’MENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, itis a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SINis the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we areracist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason weriot, loot and burn. BUT I\’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided asolution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformedheart and mind. One that\’s capable of looking past the outward andseeing what\’s truly important in every human being. The cure for theMichael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragediesis not education or exposure. It\’s the Gospel. So, finally, I\’MENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
Thank you, Mr. Watson.
