Lets call him Terrence.
I was at Starbucks in the corner minding my own business. Terrence was a few seats down from me talking to a friend. I thought I heard him mention something about “Hebrew” and “PhD.” His friend left and curiosity got the best of me so I asked Terrence if he was in seminary. He said “yes” and thus began an engaging 30 minute discussion on heady topics from eschatology and soteriology to the sovereignty of God. We also talked about the cultural shift within the suburban “white” church and the African-American church.
It was then the conversation took a dramatic turn.
You see, Terrence is black. It was a frank and candid conversation with a new friend. We shared a love of God, the deity of Christ, the Trinity, the depravity of man, and infallible word of God…but we clearly came from two different world views on how our days are spent in community.
So I asked him…”what do I (middle aged white guy) not understand about you (young black guy). He didn’t hesitate with an answer. Without even blinking he responded.
“Drew, you have no idea what it feels like to be pulled over by the Plano police for being black.” I sat in stunned silence for a moment. I asked him, “did this happen to you? And when?” Terrence coldly answered, “yes…last night…in west Plano…and its not a singular event.”
Terrence had been having dinner at a friend’s house in west Plano. He was leaving their home and getting in to his car when a patrol car stopped and they asked him, “what are you doing here.” Apparently his answer wasn’t sufficient because at the end of the street he was pulled over by the same patrol car with an additional K9 unit. The officer then asked Terrence to get out and kneel at the front of the car because they thought the dog “hit” on drugs in his car. No drugs. Only a car being driven by a black man in a white neighborhood. In 2015.
And what astounded me most about Terrence’s story? He was not upset or surprised. He told me that his parents taught him early how to respond when he gets pulled over or approached…”kneel slowly and put your hands on your head until you are released.” The “don’t shoot” response we saw in Ferguson was not for show. It was how their parents taught them to respond for their own safety. Oh dear God! In my 25 years as a parent I only told our sons to be respectful if they get pulled over. Apparently “respect” is not enough.
I do not claim to understand the immense pressure that police officers face every day as they pull over tinted cars, knock on strange doors, breakup drunken brawls all to protect our community. I applaud their efforts. I am thankful for their presence. I thank God for His protection through them. This is not the fault of the police. It is deeper. It is cultural. As President Johnson said during his speech in 1965 before introducing the Voting Rights Act…”There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem.”
And I don’t know what the solution is. Maybe time? But then again, it’s been 50 years since Selma. Much has changed. Yes. But would I have been pulled over by a K9 unit in west Plano? Much more must be done!
Maybe I do know the answer. Less profiling. More Gospel. All Gospel.
John 7:24 “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Romans 10:12 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”
God bless you Terrence. And be safe.
PS. Since 99% of the readers of this blog will be white, let me challenge you with something. This week find someone who isn’t and ask them, “what do I not understand about your life.” You will be amazed. And you will both be better for it. Maybe so will our country.
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