Over the past months many individuals have protested and some have rioted through the streets related to equal justice under the law. Yesterday, a grand jury in Jefferson County, Kentucky followed the evidence produced by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Attorney General and chose to indict one police officer for wanton endangerment while clearing all three police officers involved in the Breonna Taylor death from criminal prosecution related specifically to her death.
To be open with you the reader, I have a personal friend at the heart of this matter. I have watched it carefully, researched what I could from public record, and have prayed for all those involved. My relationship with one of the police officers involved in this case goes back nearly 40 years. As such, I do have a unique opinion related to this case as an observer.
Folks Are Hurting
As this case took on national prominence after the death of George Floyd, many outside Kentucky began using Breonna Taylor’s name and this story as a hashtag to represent racial injustice at the hands of the police. Oprah, LeBron, and others made this case particularly prominent. Thousands of dollars have been spent to put up billboards in support of prosecuting these three police officers for what many considered murder.
Most individuals see the headlines and quickly conflate national stories into a grand narrative. This is true in this case. Misinformation reigns related to this case such as Ms. Taylor was shot in bed, the police did not knock on the door, and the police were at the wrong house. Smaller details were skewed as well related to her then current job, her past relationship to the primary suspect in the case, how many times she was shot, among other details. All in all, misinformation in this case produces two problems: 1) misplaced hopes because of the even greater perception of police wrongdoing, and 2) a greater burden and grief for those who care but do not have all the facts.
Many people of color identify with Ms. Taylor’s mom and family. Many of them connect with her family as if it were their own family. Dads, moms, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters see Ms. Taylor’s death as a death to one of their own loved ones. They imagine the significance of what has happened as if it had happened personally.
As such, people all over this land deeply hurt alongside Ms. Taylor’s mom, family, and community. Cameras caught live reaction of many near Jefferson Square Park as they heard the findings of the grand jury. Many cried and were in disbelief. They mourned together as they hurt afresh for what they perceive as injustice.
The Problem with Perceived Injustice
As these cases across America churn through social media and as part of the national news media’s reporting, a narrative unfortunately is produced that may or may not resemble the facts in a case. Quick reactions often muddy up the narrative. A narrative begins and propagates across social media that may not reflect the facts at all. Unfortunately, this happens too frequently. As this happens, the number of victims and depth of the hurt only increases.
In this case, as early as July, mainstream media (both CNN and the Courier Journal), based upon the facts made public at the time, made assertions that no one would be charged pursuant to Ms. Taylor’s death. The police following established protocol and acting within their assigned duties served a warrant at Ms. Taylor’s apartment. Although some of the details are disputed, when Mr. Walker shot at the police as they cleared the door, the tragic shots that led to Ms. Taylor’s death ensued.
The community wants justice. I talked with a friend just yesterday that passionately explained to me that someone must pay for Ms. Taylor’s death. My friend called these police officers racist and said they should be help responsible. My friend simply said what is on so many people’s hearts.
They were not indicted for her death. Therefore, the perceived injustice.
Justice Takes Time – of which Social Media Lacks
The grand jury heard all the evidence from the special prosecutor in this case. They saw all the evidence as it was laid out in front of them. They chose to not indict any of the three officers in her death.
This is exactly what was predicted by the Courier Journal and other news outlets months before.
Why? Because the facts of the case do not allow for it. The officers were not culpable for her death because they followed all the appropriate and established protocols. Once the first shot was fired, the police officers appropriately protected their own lives. The three officers at the door did not make the decision to ram the door, nor did they do any research into the case. The only thing they did was what they were lawfully asked to do: they served a search warrant as it was assigned to them under the command of a lieutenant on the scene. One of the officers was tragically hit with a bullet from Mr. Walker, which could have cost the officer’s life were it not for the quick work of those on the scene to take care of him and a providential care of God.
Were there issues with the original detective’s research and arrest warrants? Seemingly so, although all that evidence is not public.
Should the lieutenant have ordered ramming the door? This will be discussed at length over time no doubt.
Did some in the LMPD miscalculate issues related to that fateful night? Yes, again, seemingly and tragically so.
However, the three officers who served that night were not standing there as racists, did not enter the home with guns blazing, and did not shoot the unarmed Ms. Taylor intentionally. They executed a warrant they were given as part of a case that was not theirs. They followed orders and protocol. Furthermore, these officers are not responsible for which they had no control. Instead, they are responsible for their actions, which the grand jury considered. One officer was indicted for very bad judgment but not Ms. Taylor’s death.
Now People Hurt Even More
We come to this moment now. People deeply hurt. The narrative of injustice gets more ingrained into our society, which makes the hurt even deeper. The narrative is set to cause further and even deeper hurt in the future when someone tragically gets shot by a different police officer in any future situation.
Ms. Taylor’s family is crushed. Sadly. Unfortunately. Tragically. Needlessly.
The police officers’ families are also severely affected as well. One officer was shot. In addition, the families have received verified threats and have been forced into hiding according to published reports. Again, needlessly.
The community deeply hurts.
Why? Because a narrative was set and propagated on social media before anyone knew the facts. None of us saw the evidence as presented to the grand jury. We did not have in our possession all the facts – not in March, not in May, not in July, and not even now. Yet, these officers were tried and convicted in public opinion.
As tragic as it all is, the rush to judgment produced even greater problems, deeper hurt, and more injustice than the death itself. Now more people hurt and with much greater depth than if we all would have been patient on justice. The very people of color about whom we are all concerned suffer even more.
The grand jury did exactly what those news media outlets investigating this case said they would do back months ago. The three officers were not charged. The problem is the greater social media narrative both determined the officers’ guilt and produced the opportunity for all to suffer even more severely.
A Commitment to Love People Well
In the future when these things happen (and they will), how do we move forward?
- Care deeply for justice, your fellow man, those who suffer under cases of injustice, and generally for all people
- When perceived injustice happens, show concern and solidarity for those effected, pray desperately for those involved, and publicly anticipate hearing all the facts
- Be slow to speak since we do not know everything, because we never do have all the facts
- Show respect for others
- Demonstrate great compassion toward those who suffer
- Be aware that not everyone sees it as you do
- Season everything you say with grace and godliness
- Assume good motives of police officers and law enforcement until one proves otherwise
I’m not perfect here. I have more work to do. Watching the riots in Louisville, hearing of two more police officers shot, and seeing the depth of hurt in the black community, I would say that many of us have more work to do. Let’s strive to do better for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors!
Join me in prayer for all those hurting please.
Image Credit Washington Post
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together