The George Zimmerman verdict has raised an incredible number of arguments, cries for "justice", and issues relating to how the United States treats different races. The diversity coordinator in me has been navigating and pondering many of these statements for a few days now, and I honestly don't know what to say regarding the outcome. But as a youth pastor and a Christian, I feel like I need to respond in some way to these events.

I'm not going to talk about the trial. I didn't watch any of it, and I only know the names of the protagonists because of the internet. All I know is that some people are outraged, some people are relieved, and some people are indifferent. Unfortunately, what I do understand is that this is going to cause a divide between races, most importantly "whites" and "blacks". And depending on your stance, the "other" side is going to be vilified. And this is what is dangerous. We are already at war with our presuppositions based on what color a person's skin is. Heck, we pass our judgment every day on people who have the same skin color as us. What a case like this has done is evidence our fallen world. Everyone sees justice the way they want to see it, including wishing that Zimmerman would be "sniped" when he walked out of the courthouse or that his half white side "saved him".

The problem with this is that people seek justice in a form that will never work. When we rely on people to bring ultimate justice, we'll always be disappointed. We think that people deserve death or worse based on their actions in this world. And... well, that's true. But it's true of all of us. Because everyone has sinned. And the consequence of sin is death. That's just how it goes: you know you're a sinner if you're going to die someday. And that fact will never change, because THAT is ultimate justice.

And in some way, I think that makes us equal. You can look at anyone in the whole world and have something in common with them. No matter who you voted for, what religion you are, what the color of your skin is... someday, both of you are going to shuffle of this mortal coil. And while we're here, shouldn't we make that process a little more bearable? When we run into people who disagree with us, or who say something we think is offensive, is our first reaction to place them in some "other" category, like they don't deserve to be on this planet?

We need to be careful in passing our judgment on others. We also need to be aware that not everyone is going to think this way, and that judgment will be passed on you based on your clothes, your skin color, and your financial demographic. The world is not perfect, but that doesn't mean that you can't strive to make the world a better place with what YOU do. Treat people like people.

I do want to mention that the family of Trayvon Martin is feeling a deep sense of hurt from his loss. Whether or not he "deserved" what happened to him, the family still needs comfort, still needs support. I don't know how to get into contact with them, but even something as simple as praying for their family may make a world of difference.

That's all I have right now.

TL;DR:

We always think we know what's just in a situation, there are many factors that influence that. what IS just is that all of us are going to die someday, and that unites us in a strange way. Before you go judging a book by it's cover, it's best to read your own story. Pray for the Martin family, regardless of your stance on the verdict.