November 25, 2014
Last night, a Saint Louis county grand jury refused to indict Darren Wilson in the murder of Michael Brown, Jr. on August 9, 2014. Brown’s life was cut short in circumstances that have become commonplace to communities of color across America — a young unarmed African-American man is racially profiled and then gunned down by a police officer or white male with impunity.
I urge people of faith and good will across the nation to joins the family, friends, and neighbors of Michael Brown, Jr. and other people of moral conscience in Ferguson and St. Louis County, Missouri in condemning the decision by a grand jury, led by St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, not to bring criminal charges against Darren Wilson in yet another example of how those who pull the levers of justice excuse extra-judicial executions of persons of color.
It is a travesty for any parent to lose their child to senseless violence at the hands of those who are sworn to serve and protect. My heart goes out to Michael Brown’s parents — Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr. — and I urge all to send out their love and support as we grieve with them and the countless other families of African-American youth who have been murdered by police.
Throughout the annals of history, societies have recognized the wickedness of allowing people who murder their fellow citizens to escape the appropriate consequences of their actions. This was demonstrated at the beginning of human history when Cain was guilty of the murder of his brother Abel. Just like Abel, the blood of Michael Brown Jr. cries out from the ground for justice.
The decision of Robert McCulloch, the Prosecuting Attorney, to refer the issue of whether to file a criminal charge against Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown, Jr. to a grand jury was nothing more than a way to avoid prosecuting a police shooting: something McCulloch has never done in 23 years. McCulloch had the authority to charge Wilson for homicide and to begin a criminal justice process that would have been open to public information and review. His decision to convene a grand jury was nothing more than a signal to the world that he was unwilling to charge Wilson with killing Brown. Therefore, the decision of the Grand Jury, while disappointing, comes as no surprise. The decision of McCulloch is reminiscent of the deplorable conduct of Pontius Pilate who attempted to absolve himself from responsibility for the execution of Jesus by washing his hands.
While violence is an inappropriate response and does little to honor the memory of Michael Brown, Jr., I am mindful of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking just weeks before his assassination, which catalyzed rioting across America:
"It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard."
There is no doubt that people of color across the nation feel that their voices, which call out for justice, are unheard against the symphony of voices that deny the existence of racial discrimination and disparate treatment of black citizens by law enforcement throughout America. I am hopeful that within our spheres of influence, we will call for calm and nonviolent action, however, that we yet understand the unwillingness of many to be patient with a system that vilifies the victims and protects their assailants. While peacefulness is the order of the day, injustice demands moral outrage that cannot be compromised by complacency.
Therefore, I am hopeful that we will join our voices to those who express righteous indignation in Ferguson, Missouri and beyond. We cannot equivocate in our demand for justice for Michael Brown, Jr., and other victims of police murder. We cannot forget the inexcusable, indefensible, irreparable moral, social, psychic and physical pain inflicted on our community, which we refuse to conceal, mute or muzzle. At the risk of false accusations of “race-baiting” or “playing the race card,” our pain must be on exhibit and given voice so that our demands for justice can be heard. The damnable treatment of those most vulnerable must be wholly condemned as we affirm the value of African American life and pray that “justice runs down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24).
Because of Calvary
Bishop Talbert W. Swan, II
