This morning, during our news cast, I caught wind of the words from Kalyn Chapman James, the first black Miss Alabama, "I don't feel sad for the officers who lost their lives.... I can't help but feeling like the shooter was a martyr."

That statement hurt me to my core!

While it is always appropriate to speak out about injustices, the taking of other innocent people's lives is never vindication for it. The fact that it is viewed as such almost justifies certain stereotypes-- the center of the issues being combated.

In a later statement, James clarified what she'd said and admitted that she was conflicted. She even offered her condolences to all the families who lost loved ones, including the officers in Dallas. But the sad reality is that once such statements are made, they're hard to retract or "clarify" if not completely understood at the onset.

Let's be clear here, all lives do indeed matter. Just as the nation is reeling over the deaths of the slain officers, other communities feel the same way about losing members with the same driving forces: hatred and fear . Saying "Black Lives Matter" isn't negating the importance of anyone else. As Steve Harvey said in his show this morning, the missing (though understood) term is, "too" as in "Black lives matter, too!" It's not an attack against anyone who isn't black, though some who subscribe to the movement may act on their on and commit heinous crimes under the guise of making a statement as part of the movement. How can a movement which calls for justice and nonviolence call for violence against others? That doesn't make sense.

Rather than finding a reason to be offended, WE ALL need to work to find a solution or group of solutions to our issues. With all of the confusion surrounding us, the very elect-- those who can possibly lead others to common ground --is being fooled into constructing a race war. It would be great if we'd all take long, hard looks at ourselves before looking at others but then look at others and find our commonality and work together to end the senselessness. Rather than point our fingers, let's listen to each other and hear each other out before becoming offended. None of us want to live in constant fear of our lives.

Philippians 4:6-7New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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