There is a common saying that evil prevails when good men do nothing.
I believe this to be true.
There is also another common saying that says “things have to get worse before they can get better”.
I hope this does not have to be the case.
This week in the United States two black men were shot point blank by police officers in two separate incidents.
Parts of both encounters were recorded on video.
The Minnesota video, which begins after the shooting itself, shows the man slumped bloody against the woman who was recording it. Her young daughter sat in the back seat. According to the nine minute video recorded by the woman, her boyfriend Philando Castile (32) was shot three times while reaching into his pocket to get his identity documents.
Castile had allegedly been pulled over for having a broken tail light.
When asked for documentation, it appears Castile informed the officer he had been carrying a gun – but had the necessary papers and license to carry.
While reaching for these documents, the police officer opened fire.
In another part of the USA, 24 hours before the Minnesota shooting, Alton Sterling (37) was shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Police had been responding to a call that a man had allegedly been threatening people outside a supermarket.
On arrival, the police pinned Sterling down. Shortly after, he was shot while pinned to the ground – helpless.
I have seen the amateur footage of this incident and I find it hard to believe he was a threat to the lives of these officers, if anything he was helpless.
Looking through news reports and social media response I noticed one poster which read: “If you are not outraged, you’re not paying attention”.
The statement could not be more apt.
I remember first seeing the news and thinking “this can’t be happening again”.
Today I appeal to our dear friends in the USA to not only get outraged, but to direct the outrage to the right place.
The US Congress and lawmakers need to take responsibility.
I am struggling to reconcile the fact that the responsible officers and their superiors will most likely get off scot-free – a little leave, suspension, and life goes on.
It cannot be.
Hashtags will be used on Twitter, but what will come of it?
Something needs to change.
Someone needs to account.
Outrage needs to translate into decisive action.
God help us!