Inward, Onward, and Upward: A Christian Reflection on the Post-Floyd Riots

By: Clara Kho

B.S. in Law & Policy: Prelaw (Liberty University)

Adapted from a Facebook post published by the author on May 31, 2020

This morning I woke up to hearing of protest riots happening in Dallas, Texas, courtesy of a Texas friend’s Facebook post showing up on my feed. Just yesterday, similar actions took place in the Raleigh area near where I live. I mourn for my community, for those in Texas similarly suffering, and most of all for the grief that must burden God’s heart as he sees his flawed image-bearers pervert the rightful pursuit of justice. Peaceful protest and freedom of assembly are rights guaranteed by our constitution. This was not that.

My friend’s post ended with the question, “How can we fix this?”

And that simple question got me thinking. Although I don’t have a conclusive answer, nor am I sure whether one exists, I want to share my thoughts and I invite you to share yours. Calling a problem by its name and discussing possible solutions is the first step towards bringing redemptive healing to our communities.

I first thought of a discussion on race theory and identity politics that took place in my Jurisprudence class last year, which left me with this conclusion: marginalized groups who believe that dismantling the current system is the only way to make their voices heard will stop at nothing to fight their perceived oppression.

I don’t want to belittle the very real struggle of black communities and other minorities of color within the States. As an Indonesian immigrant, living as a minority in the South has opened my eyes to regular occasions of subtle racism, and that’s speaking as part of a so-called “model minority” with strong community ties and family support. I can’t imagine experiencing the pain of facing overt racism while living in a community noted for brokenness in the family and community. This is not to stereotype the “black family”, but to draw attention to the very real problem of instability in some predominantly black communities.

I can’t presume to say what the solution is, or even if there is a comprehensive solution to such a multifaceted issue. But I do know that any lasting solution involves some key factors:

(1) Empathy, compassion, and prayer for a broken world and the hurting people in it. Only God can prime hearts and minds for lasting change, and He has graciously allowed human beings to be agents of that change. An attitude of empathy and acting out of compassion are key to fulfilling our role well as we move forward.

(2) The church stepping up to love black individuals, families, and communities. Paul Tripp defines love in his devotional New Morning Mercies as a “determination of the will towards the true good of another person” (Tripp). How radically different that is from our modern, secular concept of love as warm, fuzzy feelings that one can fall in and out of, or letting someone do whatever they want and shielding them from any consequences. Christians who love their black brothers and sisters enough to desire the true good of each individual will stand for lasting solutions that strengthen black individuals, families, and communities.

(3) Partnerships with local businesses and ministries to address the problem at its core: the breakdown of the black family. Poverty and destructive behavior are real issues, and reaching black youth before their frustration turns to violence in their impressionable teen years is so important. I’m thankful to remember that there are already businesses and ministries taking steps to serve black communities, but more can always be done to support these organizations and to form new ones to address new needs as they arise.

Businesses and ministries such as after-school tutoring centers, crisis pregnancy centers, community counseling and psychiatric services, soup kitchens, boys’ and girls’ clubs, community libraries,  mobile health clinics, and local attorneys contributing pro bono hours to serve marginalized communities could go a long way towards preventing a problem instead of allowing unhealed wounds to fester.

Those of us who complain about the tendency of some lower-income black households to depend on government welfare for basic services like food, shelter, or medical care would be remiss in our consideration of their situation without providing alternatives through these means and through donations to legitimate charitable organizations and non-profits. We should not simultaneously condemn the government for overstepping its economic role and fail to provide or support viable alternatives from the private sector in our local communities. Let’s put our time and money where our mouth is.

(4) Educating communities from the bottom-up. As a Prelaw graduate and a future immigration attorney, Lord willing; I would love to see a “street law and government” program offered in the future to black communities. The program would teach participants how to use legitimate means like the courts, law enforcement, and local legislative bodies to achieve their ends instead of resorting to violence. Riots are the last resort of a population who feels completely powerless, and helping black people take back their power as citizens to effect change through legitimate channels will encourage and empower them.

(5) Education and oversight for local law enforcement and greater accountability to their constituents with regard to use of force incident to arrest. I don’t have enough of a criminal justice background to speak into practical ways to ensure that unreasonable use of force by law enforcement is appropriately penalized, but standardized departmental guidelines and appropriate discipline for violators would be a step in the right direction.

(6) Preparing local communities in practical ways to protect themselves in times of rioting and violent protests. This would involve treating the problem similarly to domestic terrorism, making use of the partnerships that have already been established by law enforcement and relevant federal agencies. Increasing security at local businesses and high-traffic areas during sensitive times, community policing, and emphasizing communication for the sake of prevention could potentially save lives and reduce the risk of violence.

(7) Having honest discussions like this one among concerned people of all races. Between the pandemic and the violence, it’s hard to process what is happening each day, let alone what purpose it could possibly serve. If 2020 has shown us anything so far, it is that we live in a fallen world. But this fallen world is merely the footstool of a God whose throne is in the heavens and whose will is always good and whose good will is always brought to fruition. In light of this, I invite each of you to pray, to reflect, to reach out to the hurting, to add your voice to the conversation, and to listen with compassion and empathy.

Here’s to focusing ourselves inward, onward, and upward in the days ahead.

© 2020, Clara Kho. All rights reserved.

Works Cited

Tripp, Paul David. New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional. Crossway Books, 2019.