b'FLOYD VERDICT . continued from page 8Baptist Convention USA from 1982 to 1994).Because of Dr. Jemisons influence in that community, the pastors had a genuine heart for one another and how they worked together.One of the challenges we are facing now is the disjointedness of our churches. People attend churches but churches dont really have relationships. Not only can the pastors voices be stronger when collaborating but also the voices of the people.Rev. Warner relocated to Denver in 2017 to be senior pastor at True Light further expresses there needs to be unity, sharing of ideas, not worrying about who gets credit, who is the pitcher of the move and the egos is what has hurt our communities.The police unions, commissions are typically moved by voices of unity. And that is where we need to start in helping our next generation and equip with them in dealing with the challenges of life.True Life Baptist is in the process of rebuilding and refocusing on their youth program going into 2022 after dealing with a pandemic, being out of school, financial instability in the home and being witness to social media with constant reports about police shooting Black males and young people.Especially, after the guilty verdict came down on the police officer Chauvin for killing George Floyd.Rev.Warnerwhohasthreesonsof his own says it is important to focus on our children. Heremindsustheimportanceas AfricanAmericanmenandwomento notshelterourchildrenfromreality, andstates,Theblindersthatsome parents put on their kids by not letting them see the reality of how people may treat me because of the color of my skin sets us up for failure.Rev. Warner recalls his own encoun-ter with police. It was him and his son, who was six years old at the time back in Louisiana.We were leaving a high school basket-ball game and this police officer pulled me over. She said I was speeding. She was talking to me over the loud speaker and I am saying to her, I have my six-year old son in the car. She then told me to get out of the car.I got out of the car with my hands up. I said, Maam my wife is waiting for me to get home. I kept saying it over and over. My next response was what can I do to get home with my son.Another two police cars pulled up.I said again, I am just try-ing to get home to my wife. I have my six-year old son in the car. What can I do to get to my house safely?It was at night and I was on the side of the road by myself.And the only thing that was important at that moment was my son and getting home to my wife safely.The officer started searching the car. My son said, What are you looking for. My mom ordered pizza. Would you like to come home with us and have pizza?My point is until we understand how deeplyentrenchedthiswholeconcept of systematic racism or in situations of dealing with rogue cops, we have to do everything we can to deescalate.I know what my rights are but who is going to fightformyrights.Howmanypeople have we seen lose their lives from being brutallybeatenbypoliceofficersand all those guys just got what a couple of weeks paid administrative leave? So its hard to fight when you are dead.Sincethebeginning,whenAfrican Americans were brought to this country what has really changed?Yes,slaveryended,theeraofbeing sharecroppers ended, we fought to vote andberecognizedduringtheCivil RightsMovement,wemadesome stridesinhavingeconomicempower-mentandequalityonthejob,even elected our first Black president of the United States and recently elected the first black female vice-president of the United States.Butthenweturnaroundandask where has it really got us if every week wehearaboutanotherBlackperson who was killed by police. IlovewhatRev.Warnersayswhen quotingactorWillSmithwhosaidit best, Racism hasnt gotten worse, rac-ism is just being recorded.BODY OF CHRIST NEWS MAY 2021 15'