By Michael Watts II, NDG Special Contributor
President Barack Obama speaking at the Morton Meyerson Center during the memorial service for the slain police officers cautioned Americans that while there is work to be done, “We are not as divided as we seem.”
Many might disagree given the trauma of last week.
Right now, America’s heart is filled with grief and sorrow as we remember Alton Sterling from Baton Rouge, Philando Castile from Minnesota and recently the five police officers killed at a peaceful protest held in Dallas, Texas.
The five police officers killed were Officer Michael Krol, Sgt. Michael Smith, Officer Patrick Zamarripa, Cpl. Lorne Ahrens and Officer Brent Thompson. The local community and nation have vowed to remember the sacrifices of these officers forever.
The dignitaries in attendance at the Interfaith Memorial Service to honor the fallen officers included: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush; Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden; Mayor Michael Rawlings, and Chief of Police David Brown.
Chief Brown’s musically inspired tribute
“When I was a teenager and started liking girls, I could never find the right words to express myself,” Brown shared. “And after a couple of words, they would just walk away leaving me figuring out, ‘What do I need to do to get a date?’ So being a music fan of 1970’s rhythm and blues love songs, I put together a strategy to recite the lyrics to get a date.”
“For girls I liked, I would pull out some Al Green or some Teddy Pendergrass,” he said. But for the girls that won his heart, “I had to dig down deep and get some Stevie Wonder, to fully express the love I had.”
“So today, I’m going to pull out some Stevie Wonder for these families,” he said before quoting Wonder’s “As.”
“We all know sometimes life’s hate and troubles can make you wish you were born in another time and place. But you can bet your life times that, and twice its double, that God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed. So make sure when you say you’re not in it, but not of it, you’re not helping to make this Earth a place sometimes called hell. Change your words into truth and then change that truth into love. And maybe your children’s grandchildren and their great great grandchildren will tell them I’ll be loving you. Until the rainbow burns, the stars out of the sky, I’ll be loving you.
Until the ocean covers every mountain high, I’ll be loving you. Until the dolphin flies and the parrots live at the sea. I’ll be loving you. Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream, I’ll be loving you. Until the day is night and night becomes the day, I’ll be loving you.
… I’ll be loving you always. And there’s no greater love than this. That these five men gave their lives for all of us,” Brown closed with.
Presidential reflections
“I’m pleased that the President, First Lady and the Vice President could show up today,” shared former President Bush. “The city of Dallas is grieving right now over the loss of the five officers from the shooting and the officers that were slain, were the best among the officers in the Dallas Police Department.”
Bush invited individuals on both sides of the debate regarding the #BlackLivesMovement and law enforcement to take a realistic look at themselves.
“Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions,” Bush said. “This has strained our bonds of understanding and common purpose … We want the unity of hope, affection and higher purpose.”
Before leaving the stage, former President Bush addressed the victim’s loved ones.
“The time you had with your loved ones was too short, but they went on to their call of duty and may God bless you during this time of despair.”
After Chief Brown spoke, he introduced President Obama, who had a lot to say about the recent deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile as well as the slain officers.
Obama pointed out that with all of the finger pointing and anger on both sides it can feel like the country is going to careen into a worse division. But Obama cautioned not to give into a sense of hopelessness.
“Politicians calculate how to grab attention or avoid the fallout. We see all this, and it’s hard not to think sometimes that the center won’t hold. And that things might get worse. I understand. I understand how Americans are feeling. But, Dallas, I’m here to say we must reject such despair.”
“People across Dallas and the nation are grieving right now,” said President Obama. “For the men and women who protect Dallas, last Thursday started as a regular day, but your work and the work of police officers across the country is like no other. When you put on that uniform, you are answering to a call that puts your life in danger. Your job is stressful, and you have long shifts, but we still thank you for upholding the constitutional right of the country by serving and protecting all U.S citizens.”
The service concluded with the Battle Hymn of the Republic, sung by the Interfaith Choir.
