Changing the Culture of Gun Violence and Racism

The Michael Brown Shooting and Trayvon Martin Case

We are living with an epidemic of gun violence.  It is estimated that in the United States, one in five U.S. teenagers report having witnessed a shooting, and firearm homicide is the second-leading cause of death for youth ages 1-18 in the U.S.  We are also living in a country where racism continues to be a pressing problem.  The events last week of the shooting of unarmed Michael Brown after an altercation with a white police officer, a shooting that is still under investigation refueled the debate about both gun violence and racism.  It is reminiscent of the killing of Trayvon Martin, another unarmed youth that was killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer.  The killing of Michael Brown has raised tension and anger in the African American community that has clearly expressed their anger and frustration of being treated with suspicion, excessive force, and violence at the hands of some in law enforcement.  Minorities and people of color are often treated differently or disproportionally pulled over as motorists or questioned pedestrians because of the color of their skin.  There has also been a number of deaths to unarmed people of color reported that has caused an angry response by many Americans. 

As we as a society debate gun laws, gun rights, racial profiling, racism, policing methods, security and freedom, it will doubtless raise quite a bit of emotions and feelings on all sides.  It is very important that people listen to the voices of those in these communities that are frustrated and angry.   The church has an important role to play.  Some of these issues are not political at all, but are human rights issues dealing with the right to protest peacefully, or a community angry about policing methods.  In the document "Gun Violence and Gospel Values, Mobilizing a Response to God's Call" the Presbyterian church has put together an important resource for churches and pastors in response to the current situation that we face.  The link below is to the Presbyterian Church mission agency that has provided a number of other important resources for churches and Christians as we seek to be salt and light in our society and help to bring healing to the many that have lost loved ones to needless gun violence.  Much can and must be done if we are to change the current culture of gun violence, what is for certain, is that as Christians who seek to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the current situation is just unacceptable.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" Matt 5:9


The link below is to the PCUSA Finding resources for responding to gun violence

click here to access finding resources for responding to gun violence

Facing Racism a Vision of the Beloved Community

click here to listen to Melissa Harris-Perry Report

Washington Post Increase Homicides Report