Building Bridges: What Are You Thinking?

Reflections, resources and experiences on justice, race and relations

You see the red and blue lights flashing in your rear view mirror. You hear the bleat of the siren indicating the officer wants you to pull over.

You are thinking what you did.

How far over the speed limit were you going?

Did I signal when I changed lanes?

Was the light still yellow when I went through it?

You are thinking if you have everything.

Did I put the new insurance sheet in the car when I paid the policy?

When did I renew my license plate?

Does my driver’s license expire on my next birthday?

If these are your thoughts as the officer approaches your window, you are using your white privilege.

If you are a person of color, you are probably thinking:

Are my hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel?

Don’t reach for anything or move until the officer tells you to.

Sir and Ma’am. Remember, Sir and Ma’am.

Could anybody have left anything in the car?

Is this the way I am going to die?

Over 1,000 unarmed people died at the hands of police between 2013 and 2019. One out of three, or 33%, were Black. Blacks are only 14% of the U.S. population.

That is why we say: Black Lives Matter.

Data from Mapping Police Violence (https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/nationaltrends)

By Pastor Brian R. Campbell, Covenant Lutheran Oklahoma City Churches