Posted on 11/27/2014 7:22:22 AM PST by Impala64ssa
While Saints tight end Benjamin Watson may not always be the spotlight during a football game, his presence is well known -- even more so after the tight end took to social media to weigh in on the conflict happening in Ferguson, Missouri.
Watson, 33, wrote a passionate post following Monday night's prime-time game against the Baltimore Ravens about the emotions he is feeling in light of the St. Louis County grand jury's decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown. "At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down," he said in the post made to his verified Facebook page.
Watson continues to write about his anger, frustration, embarrassment, sadness and fear, among other feelings.
"I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
"I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
"I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a 'threat' to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
"I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment," the post read in part.
His words, posted Tuesday night, have garnered more than 310,000 likes, more than 161,700 shares and tens of thousands of comments as of noon Wednesday.
At the end of his 650-word post, Watson said that while he is offended, confused and sad, he is also encouraged and hopeful.
"I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.
"I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope."
We are all potential threats or criminals in today’s police environment.
Good words from an obviously good and thoughtful man! May more like him come forward!
Next up: Roger Goodell announces a four game suspension for Ben Watson.
A strong armed robber, a member of the gang of red.
A Blood he was.
Attacked a cop.
Now he’s dead.
This is news worthy because it is so unusual for a Black person to speak with such truth and honesty.
Amen. I know the names.
I don't find what Watson said to be all that encouraging or worthy of endorsement. He is perpetuating black victimhood. And he ignores black on white crime due to racism--a far greater problem than white policemen abusing black youth.
As far as the police are concerned, they are not out of control or is there widespread abuse of liberty by the police. They are the ones protecting us from the criminals and the anarchists.
I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I guess Watson is not buying into the Grand Jury verdict and the Rule of Law. Aren't the facts and evidence conclusive? Why the "maybes" and moral equivalence?
I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
What does he mean by this? Whose painful experiences is he talking about?
I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
In the case of Michael Brown, perhaps his failure to obey a policeman had to do with his prior strong-arm robbery of a convenience store.
I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
Michael Brown was not the victim of racism. He robbed a convenience store and attacked a policeman in his car attempting to take his weapon--a felonious, unwarranted attack.
Watson is trying to have it both ways. In the immortal words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
All I can say to this idiot is READ THE TRANSCRIPTS you may re think this. I am reading Damion testimony. It is absurd unbelievable no wonder the GJ ruled the way they did. In his testimony he claims offer Wilson tried to pull brown into his car via half open window. laughable.
I'll take the inaccuracy of this statement if it draws readers in to experience the rest of he statement.
It's the closest thing to the real root cause - personal responsibility - that I've seen and read so far.
I'll take it.
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