I’ve been on a kick lately of taking the rhetorical questions we ask and actually trying to answer them. There seems to be a pattern on social media to ask rhetorical questions with the assumption that we have dropped the mic on our ideological opponents. Yet in many instances, the very questions we are asking should actually be answered. For if we answered those questions, we would have a greater insight into ourselves and others (For example, see: Why Can I Go to Wal-Mart and Not Church?)
One question plastered on social media is “why riot and loot?” In wake of the apparent murder of George Floyd by one or more Minneapolis police officers, protests in Minnesota spread across the nation and escalated into the destruction of physical property. While some have taken advantage of the situation for political or personal gain, some of the protesters have turned to the destruction of property not knowing how else to get the attention of apathetic Americans.
This quickly raised the question on social media, primarily among white Americans, “why riot in response?” In part, the question is fair, especially when much of the destruction is in already underserved neighborhoods and businesses are owned by members of the very community being oppressed. (For a powerful speech made by an activist in Atlanta on reasons not to riot or loot, see here.)
Yet there is another way to approach this question. Rather than directing it toward those who are on the streets, what if we directed it back to those most tempted to ask the question. What does the rioting and looting of others reveal about us?
Many Americans love their power and their possessions more than they love some people. That’s the revelation. And before you and I assume we aren’t part of the “their,” we should be very careful. I assume the statement is true about me–I love power and possessions more than I love some people.
Not all people. There are a good number of people that I would put above power and possessions. I would easily let my house burn in order to save my wife and children. I would have no problem giving up positions of influence in order to keep some friendships or protect some people.
The problem is that it isn’t true for ALL people. I find such comfort in systems that are set to my benefit and such well-being in possessions, that I will hold onto those two things at the expense of some people. Those people are created in the image of God. They have value and purpose. Yet I’m willing to overlook God’s image within them in order to protect my higher loves, namely power and possessions.
While I can easily say rioting and looting are not the answers to the world’s problems, the truth is that rioting and looting are far more effective than I would like to admit because they are attacks on things that we love. The prophets regularly warn us about unholy affections at the expense of others. (Isaiah 10.1 “Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions so as to deprive the needy of justice.”)
If we loved all people more than power and possessions, the video of George Floyd’s murder would have been enough to drive us into action. Not only would systems and institutions in Minnesota quickly change, but across the country, the video would have caused us to look at our own lives, systems, structures, and institutions, ensuring that they are set up to assist all people and not slanted to our benefit.
But the video did very little. We might have been outraged, but by the next day we would have moved onto the next major story. However, when the crowds moved to the streets, we became more focused. When buildings and businesses began to burn, the issue became more significant. Why?
Why would the burning of buildings and the destruction of businesses bring more outrage than the unlawful death of a man? If we were honest, we would have to admit it’s because we value our possessions more than we value some people?
Why after years/decades/centuries of stories like this do we still have systems which are slanted toward the advantage of some and against others? It’s because we value our privilege and power more than we value some people.
I don’t condone riots or violence. I’m heartbroken as I watch buildings burn. It’s especially tragic considering many of these neighborhoods are the ones who need more development, businesses, and attention. I worry for those on the streets and for the officers outraged by their colleagues while also trying to maintain order in the aftermath. (See: The Best Book I’ve Read in Five Years)
But even as the riots are happening, I am reminded that I am partially responsible. For as long as my heart values power and possessions over some people, I should expect God to allow those idols to be revealed as he invites me to repent.
For more, hear from some of the people I go to church with Jay, Steven, Aletha, and Precious,
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I do not value power and possessions. I feel the pain of those innocent people displaced from their homes and the burning of the businesses those people frequented.
You should not have to choose between your family and your home, nor should anyone else.
Rather than feeling guilty or “privileged”, you should be thankful for what God has given you. Do not let the evil that has reared its ugly head cause you to question yourself.
Very interesting perspective. Honestly, I’m mulling. I think you make some great points.
Mostly, though, I’ve been far more upset by the death of George Floyd than the looting of Target while still upset by the rioting and looting because many of those businesses are owned by or employ locals. So it’s not the property itself, but the livelihood of the people there that worries me. And an unstable environment also makes businesses less likely to come in, set down roots, and serve a community. Thoughts?
The looting really bothers me for the very reasons you stated. Someone said what burns in a day takes a decade to rebuild. That is tragic to me, especially in neighborhoods that are already underserved.
Thank you, Kevin! Words we need to hear and action we need to work toward.
Dear Mr. Thompson
I have followed your writings for quite awhile and have for the most part enjoyed your prospectives and thought process. I do however need to disagree with you on this subject. From what I read you are saying that it is ok to loot and destroy others hard earned property because the looters and those who break the law are more important and valuable than someone’s property. If someone is about to torch my house down with my wife and family inside, I should stand back and let that happen for it is better to lose your possessions, your home your family, than to defend your possessions, for possessions are evil. If three generations are surviving operating a small business and they are looted and burned down you have just destroyed the future of 3 generations. But that’s ok because it is just possessions. Is there not any responsibility by the individuals who are causing the destruction? Should we not respect authority? The individual who was killed in Atlanta this past week would still be alive if he had not tried to resist and run away. Or are you suggesting that there be no laws? Everyone can do what ever they want to someone else’s property, for possessions are of no value.
What I am really outraged by is the multiple police officers who have died since this has all blown up. Some have died execution style. Not a single mention of them or there families,but untold coverage of someone who broke the law not once but numerous times and is now portrayed as a hero.
I do not know the current definition of a Christian but if it is someone who believes that it is wrong to stand up for and defend Yourself including your possessions and your family survival I not sure i want to be Christian.
With must thought and consideration:
Rob
Rob,
Thank you for the thoughtful response. By no means do I encourage violence, rioting, or looting. The point of this article is that rather than simply saying the rioting is wrong, we should look at our own hearts and determine what idols this situation might reveal in us. This is a continual approach to take with things–rather than simply judging others as evil, let’s look at our own hearts and see what needs to be changed.
Who is saying the “burning of buildings and the destruction of businesses bring more outrage than the unlawful death of a man?” Why can’t a person be righteously angry by all sin.
How are systems “ slanted” in your view if we follow the baseline Constitution and the Bill of Rights… which are both based on Biblical principles.
I have an acquaintance who has worked in law enforcement for 35 plus years. He says that people fight back when they shouldn’t and think they are in better shape than they are which can cause coronary issues. Was there better ways of dealing with the situation…. of course. A death overa $20.00 bill…. what a travesty.
Cops have bad attitudes at times and get grumpy because much of the time they are dealing with the worst segments of society… and it’s hard to remain objective and not take personal directed outbursts personally.
There could be much more to the story and why he was “ killed” than we will ever know.
God knows and sees all and no person is getting away with anything. Our senses of justice just feel—which if patterned after God’s justice and mercy are right on target.
Thank you Kevin, for writing to encourage thinking about and through difficult subjects and hard realities.
Very well said
Wow I read another article and thought it had some merit. Then I read this and heard you promote rioting and looting, and now I have to discard everything I had taken in. Rioting and looting was not something Jesus commanded his disciples to do in order to get attention when he was killed on the cross. I warn you to search your heart and fix this because the enemy has fooled you. Stop watching the mainstream media and remember that these exact same social justice warriors are champions of abortion. Or perhaps thats a grey area for you. Also I implore you to look up some statistics before you say a video should do something. God bless you, but I’m thankful you’re not my pastor.
Aaron, Please read the article again. Notice I do not promote rioting and looting. Instead, I am trying to understand why some choose to riot and loot. That is a radically different focus.