They could have been erroneously profiled at some point in their lives because of someone’s claim that they “fit the description.” They were three young, black males with so much promise and potential, and I was extremely hopeful that my eyes were deceiving me.
With concern and disbelief on a bright and glorious Saturday afternoon, my husband and I sat in our car in the store parking lot trying to figure out what was happening. We watched the young men look in a nearby car, converse back and forth, look left and right, and duck up and down. In the midst of our confusion, I had so many questions. Should we call the police? Should we intervene? Wouldn’t it be better if we just mind our own business? What if they just locked their keys in the car, and we’re guilty of profiling innocent young black men? Maybe we should just call for help and let them sort it out? But what if “the help” shoots first and asks questions later? What if the situation escalates and someone gets hurt -- or worse -- killed?
“Good lawd!” My heart raced, and I felt so much pressure to make the right decision -- the one in which everyone would leave safely and property unharmed (if that’s what they were doing). Eventually, we realized the unfortunate truth when we saw the rocks in their hands and “look-outs” who were waiting for the perfect opportunity to break the car’s window.
As for my husband, he’d immediately turned into the caring K-12 administrator that he is during his 9-to-5, and his focus was not only to stay safe, but to save their lives. He didn’t have nearly as many questions or hesitations as I did; he just wanted to keep them alive and out of jail. His heart ached as he thought about his sibling who spent 12 years in prison and his father who died there. All he could say was, “I’ve got to save our young black men.”
Well...let’s be real! The type of wife I am?? Let's just say that we had to have a solid plan before doing anything because it was certainly my first instinct to -- as my sister would say -- “mind my business 'round these parts!!” LOL! I was so concerned about our safety.
With a mask on :-), he approached the young men and pleaded with them to go home. He told them security was on the way, he didn’t want to see them hurt, and briefly mentioned his relatives’ prison exploits. With hung down heads, they dropped the rocks and walked away. We stayed for a moment to watch them head out. As we drove away, the police car just so happened to be just a stone’s throw away (no pun intended). I can only imagine the many "other" ways this could have all turned out.
I truly believe that my husband saved three lives that day. I wanted to be a bystander, but with a little risk and a lot of prayer, he chose differently. That day, I learned yet another life lesson about sacrifice, love for others, and more ways to ensure that others can live richly every day.
Happy (early) Father’s Day to the love of my life, John R. Miller, Jr.
**I pray that God's peace and strength continue to be with those of us who are celebrating Father's Day differently than others this year -- without one. May our Heavenly Father comfort you!
That's what's up John.