I recently sent a letter to the Chief of Police in McKinney Texas. You might ask why? or you might feel why bother? As we watched the most recent unfolding of conflicts and aggressive actions of police and this time young black teens in swimming suits, I felt my own protests...something has to change. The fallout following the video released was people pointing at the other saying, "Who is to blame? Who is responsible?" Many saying this is proof of why teenagers need to learn respect, this is proof that all police are violent, or this is proof the media is slanted. What was similar was that no one was asking how have I contributed? What ways did I participate? And you might ask me, why bother? The issue is too big, too pervasive, or one more of countless instances.
In Ferguson and Detroit and all the other instances, they were important to me; but they also felt removed. I see and experience extreme fear with all involved (even if fear is expressed like fight it is truly terror). I was outraged and yet holding it at a distance. Why is McKinney, Texas different? You see, I am McKinney.
My 5th Great Grandfather was Collin McKinney, the founder of many of the firsts in Texas. A true patriot and man of action. The first free school in Texas was held on my grandmother's porch where the old house stood. He was the writer and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The first Disciples of Christ church in Texas was brought together again from his direction. And many other firsts, which is why the city McKinney, and the county Collin county is named after him. Yes, there is a historical marker in front of the house my grandmother (Clara McKinney Reddell, Sissie to us) lived for her whole life. Our family has taken pride in the ancestry from which we came.
And this last week, the city that bears the name of our family made national news; but for all the wrong reasons.
I felt this time it is personal, not that I know or am responsible for a city or their officers; but its my namesake, something I have taken deep pride in over the years. I had to face inward and ask how is this in many aspects a part of me that I haven't considered. In the Hendricks training I work with, we do a simple action when faced with a large issue that seems to be reoccurring, its called FACT. (Facing, Accepting, Choosing, and Taking Action). I love this process as it is a manner of looking within, accepting that we are all participating in keeping something going, and creating a new way of moving forward. Its so easy to blame another, find fault with the system, without really looking deep to how do I participate and create this too. Sound familiar? Before you point out a speck of sawdust in your neighbor's eye, take the log out of your own (Matthew 7.3-5). The self reflection isn't just for those who seem to have done wrong, or the left, or the right, or those blatant racist, or the subtle racists, or those from the south...for by categorizing in this way we are perpetuating the same biases, and not looking inward. How am I that teenager? How am I the police officer? How am I the white teens looking on? How am I the neighbors staying inside their houses doing nothing?
Sunday, I wrote a letter to the Chief of Police, inviting him to make McKinney different, by creating a different way of responding. Instead of generating more blaming, violence, and fear invoking terror in that community, inviting him to do something different. What if this city, like the founder, took a radical approach, lead the community as a whole in wondering how they have participated (even indirectly in their actions or inactions). What are creative ways a new way of being can build and grow? Isn't that what we are challenged to be salt and light in this business of supporting the love of God here on earth? My heart aches in watching the video and hearing the cries of the young girl, and I want something different. I know this involves me (and each of us, no matter how non racist we may feel we are) looking inward and reflecting on my own ways I haven't faced what is...and taking simple actions, like writing letters, and walking through neighborhoods, and accepting we are all part of this national unfolding.
I know I want something different....what about you?
Blessings
Dee
