Michael Brown and the Great Deception

I found out about Michael Brown the same way most people did. First, I saw a social media post with a bold headline. Then, I saw some news articles followed by more social media posts. Over the course of the next few days, weeks, and months there were more articles, social media posts and podcasts. Thanks to the internet, the news spread beyond local coverage to quickly become national and international news. 

As the word spread like wildfire, we saw the dividing lines being established. On one side were those who supported Michael Brown, and on the other side were those who stood with those who had accused him. Both sides were making their case as loudly as possible, while doing their best to tell the world the “truth” as they believed it to be. Those on Michael’s side told everyone who would listen that this was really a case of misinformation and misinterpreted facts. While they admit there were errors of judgement, they insist that Michael’s actions didn’t rise to the level where he should have been judged as severely, nor treated as harshly as he was. Those on the side of the ones who had brought charges against Michael fully believe the accusations and charges and, in truth, don’t believe that justice was served, and that it definitely was not served as quickly and consequentially as it should have been.

Like most people, I read, watched, and listened to the reports concerning the actual events and their aftermath and wondered to myself which side was right. I tried to decipher the information available and view it honestly, while trying to see the information as both sides viewed it. I spoke with friends who stood on both sides in an effort to be fair and balanced. 

I could see and understand why those who advocated for the accusers did so. They viewed the events from the information that was provided to them and, in their minds and hearts, they saw at the very least an abuse of power, and for some they saw behavior that contributed directly to someone's death. I could also see and understand the viewpoint of those who stood arm in arm with Michael Brown. Those who concluded from the information they had that Michael, while guilty of poor judgement, was not the villain that his detractors made him out to be.

The more I read news reports, social media articles, and watched videos, the more I realized that while I was reading, and watching all the information that I could, the truth was that the information I had was woefully insufficient for me to actually know which side was right, if, in fact, either side was right. Why, you may ask? Because I wasn’t there when it happened. The best information I have available to me is based entirely upon the memories of those who were there and those memories are based entirely upon the impression of the experience of those who experienced the actual event(s). 

The bottom line is that I was not in St. Louis on the day that Michael Brown died. I was not one of the police officers that responded to that call, and I was not one of the witnesses that was at the scene that day. Oh wait, were you thinking I was writing about a different Michael Brown and different events? Yes, you are correct. This entire article, up until this point, was click bait. I wrote it purposely to get each of you to read at least this far into the article. Why, you may ask? Because the truth is that every one of us reads an article about an event through the lens of preconceived beliefs, thoughts, and our own experiences. 

I know that most of those reading this article believed it was about a different Michael Brown, a Michael Brown who recently was publicly accused. I also know that I have friends who have read everything written about or spoken about these events through the lens of standing firmly with Dr. Brown. I also have friends who read everything written, and heard everything spoken about the events through the lens of an advocate for the abused. But, the truth is that unless any of us were in the room where it happened, the best we can do is make judgements based upon limited information presented to us from the perspective of the one sharing the information they have. 

When Michael Brown was killed in St. Louis, I told people discussing the situation to please wait on the court case to conclude because the judge and jury were going to hear and see information that we had not and would not see. They would then make their judgement based upon all of the evidence provided. I also said that we, the outsiders, might never actually know the whole truth and, therefore, we should withhold judgement, rather than risk false judgement.

Likewise, when Dr. Michael Brown was accused, I determined that I would wait on those chosen to make judgement based upon the testimony and evidence provided before coming to any conclusions. I also knew that whatever judgement they would make would still be made on partial information because none of those empanelled to make this judgement were in the room where it happened. 

Knowing that human judgement, even at its best, will always fall short of G-D’s perfect judgement, I trust in G-D to bring light where there is darkness, and believe that, ultimately, truth will prevail in this case, as well as all others. So, let me remind everyone of one other thing that came out of the St. Louis Michael Brown case: “Hands Up Don’t Shoot.” In this case, when we know we don’t have and can’t have all the facts and truth in a matter, it is best that we put our hands up, saying, “I don’t know,” and stop shooting at people. Remember 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is partial will pass away.

The great deception in this case is not the facts that we know; it is the facts that we don’t know. Because we only know in part, but we judge in full. Instead of being advocates for truth, we become purveyors of deception. Instead of shining a light in darkness, we become part of the darkness.

Please understand that my writing this today isn’t my avoiding choosing sides in an important matter. It is my admitting I don’t know which side is right and choosing G-D’s side, instead of one of the other sides, which I know is made of, at best, partial truth. 

By way of full disclosure, I have been long time personal friends with Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, Dr. Raleigh Washington, Ron Cantor, and Dr. Michael Brown, all who are involved directly in this matter.