On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope

McKesson takes time to share the emotional reality that started his path for social justice and outlines the reason and logic for what social justice looks like. I didn't expect a “bash the system” book from a perspective of, “I don't know what I want but sure isn't this”. That being said, McKesson brings to light realities and truths I had not heard or read before that sheds bright light on some dark places that have tried to stay in the dark.

It is past time to make amends for the actions of the past and present. Being white and acknowledging that people of color have been discriminated against for years in subtle and systematic ways does not make us guilty of the sin, as is pointed out in the book. Acknowledgment can lead us to becoming accomplices with people of color to actively work to fix the broken parts of society so all have the same freedoms, the same access, and the same privileges without hesitation. I believe we cannot be a “Christian” country and cling to our own little kingdoms while others continue to inherit poverty and injustice.

Jesus came to heal the broken and lift up the down trodden. To be like him is to do likewise. As we do, we may find that all of us get a purer justice that is not focused on punishment first, but focused on keeping peace and protecting the freedom of all of our citizens.

I wish this wasn't a controversial topic. I wish this didn't get framed as black people versus police officers. I wish that creating policies to hold officers of the law to a high standard was applauded by all around. Imagine if surgeons didn't have to hold to a standard or could only be reviewed over the last six months. Would you want that person doing your surgery? The standard is to protect both the citizen and the officer. Just as it protects both patient and surgeon.

It's never too late to start caring about another person and what they are going through and struggling with.