What is Just?


Today in Minnesota, the officer who shot and killed Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop was acquitted on all charges. Click here for the story, from the Washington Post.

Typically on this blog, I try to avoid current events. Today I am breaking that rule and writing about this current event because I must say these things.

Here are my observations:

1. What amazes me as I pore through the reactions to the verdict on Twitter is that black people aren't surprised. The fact that a police officer who fatally and erroneously shot a black man didn't get convicted doesn't come as a surprise to people. It is almost expected in the African-American community that they won't get justice in America. This is tragic. Our justice system has to start serving the black community like they deserve.

2. Which brings us to the point of justice in the first place. Justice for Philando Castile wouldn't have been that after he was shot, his killer was convicted of the charges brought against him. Surely that would have brought some closure to the family, friends, and African-American community, but it wouldn't have been proper justice. But true justice would be if we never would have gotten to a shooting in the first place.

Justice for Philando Castile would be if he didn't have to fear the police even though he is a black man. 

Justice for Philando Castile would be if he was treated as a citizen and not as a suspect by the police officer who shot and killed him. 

Justice for Philando Castile would have been if he was allowed to live his life judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. 

3. When my Little Brother and I walk into a gas station, ball game, anywhere - I notice it. As an African-American youth, he is constantly under scrutiny. He is constantly receiving concerned glares when we are in public. He is under suspicion from others around him. The eyes upon him are almost expectant of a misstep, or some criminal activity. He's just a kid!

What must it be like to grow up 'under suspicion?'

This is what happened to Philando. Despite the fact that he was only pulled over for a busted taillight, he was under suspicion. The officer admits, he thought Castile resembled the description of a robbery suspect. Why couldn't he have been treated as a busted taillight and not a suspect? Philando was a cafeteria worker. Why couldn't he have been pulled over and approached as a cafeteria worker, and not as a robbery suspect?

4. Lastly, to the point of character. Whenever a black man gets shot in America, the media immediately races to speculate on their character.


This tweet from the Baltimore Sun is an example. "This was not a thug..."

Why should this matter? Doesn't human life have value? If a human life was unjustly taken, why should it matter if the person was a thug or a cafeteria worker or a solider? The narrative should not turn to the character of the individual, the narrative should look at the injustice of the act.

The fact of the matter is, a person shouldn't have died. That is unjust because human life matters to God. 

I don't know what it's like to grow up under suspicion. When I get pulled over, I get treated nicely. I'm never suspected. When I walk into a room, people don't stare at me. Everywhere I go, nothing goes before me. As a white man, I get to be judged by how I act, not by how I look. I get to be judged on the content of my character. Philando didn't get that luxury. Today's verdict shows does not reflect that Philando's life was valuable.

That's all I have. I'm hurt, I'm frustrated, and I'm sad, but my hope is in the God who does not pervert justice.

Deuteronomy 32:4

 “The Rock, his work is perfect,
for all his ways are justice.
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
just and upright is he. (ESV)

 I think of Jesus who lived out God's requirements of Micah 6:8, and I put my hope in him.

Micah 6:8

 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Jesus, help us to reflect your character and uphold justice for all people. Give us the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, that you may be glorified. Amen.

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