I don’t often reproduce someone else’s story in full, adding little to nothing. In this case, there’s not much I can add. The author is Jason Robinson, who is with The Navigators’ Collegiate ministry in Minneapolis. I do not know him, but he’s my brother.

I’m 6’5”, in my late 40s, African-American, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So was George Floyd. He was a man of God who loved people and was always there for others. The same could be said about me. Then there was Christian Cooper, a Harvard educated man, successful writer and editor in New York City. I, too, am a college-educated man who’s served in vocational ministry for more than 25 years, building and leading multicultural ministries ranging in size from 50 to 5,000.

For all three of us, throughout our lives, we have encountered people who didn’t see any of the good things that make us who we are. They just see Black men who they perceived as threats and acted accordingly, the worst offense being the murder of George Floyd.

As Navigators who live by the motto “To know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®” we find racism in any form unacceptable, especially the systemic racism that contributed to the death of George Floyd, and it must not be tolerated. Because of our commitment to live, love, and lead like Jesus, we must take the lead on how to respond in a way that reflects the God we serve and that “helps others to do the same.”

For me, watching the video of George’s death hit me in a profound way because when I saw George, I saw myself. It sent me on every emotion one could feel, but at the end of it all, it re-affirmed the call that is on my life. As a Christ-follower I should have the same compassion that Jesus has, not only for those like me who have been victimized, but also for those who are caught in the trap of sinful thoughts and behaviors.

What that looks like over the next days, weeks, and months is yet to be determined, but what I would like to see is a full-on commitment by the people of God to action. No longer being silent, but active in demonstrating and living out the top two commands God calls us to: to love Him and to love our neighbor.

The love and outpouring of compassion toward me is refreshing, encouraging, and greatly appreciated. My friends, family, and supporters understand that it could have been me! My prayer is that it motivates them to do something. I am committed to helping them learn what God would have them to do going forward. For those that don’t know God, I am committed to helping them know God. And for all, I am committed to helping them do the same for others.

“To know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same.” I’m a Navigator. It’s what I do. – Jason Robinson [link added]

How would Jason and other black brothers read these verses?

Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, GOD, would like? This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. (Isaiah 58.5, 6, MSG)

[Jesus said, ] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.18 – 21, NIV)