Imagine This....

You have met the man of your dreams - your soulmate. He has been a part of your life all along. As a matter of fact, he was your high school sweetheart who fathered two children with you. You weathered the storm and stuck it out with him. Over the years, the two of you have worked through your conflict, your indifference, and your growth. Finally, God has touched your hearts and opened you both up to the blessing of commiting your lives to one another. The wedding date is set; the invitations have gone out. The church and reception hall have been rented. The caterer and the photographer have been hired. The two of you have been anticipating this day - your day - for what seems like an eternity. And on the morning of your wedding - just hours before the big event - you receive a phone call and learn of the unthinkable....



NYPD cops fired 50 bullets at a car full of unarmed men -- killing your husband to be -- as he and three friends left his bachelor's party at a local strip club in New York. You learn that the car driven by your husband to be was hit 21 times by a spray of bullets supposedly after your husband had rammed his car into an undercover officer, and then an unmarked police minivan. You learn that your friends, Joseph Guzman, 31, was reportedly shot up to 17 times by the police and is in critical condition and that Trent Benefield, 23, was shot three times. You are in utter shock.

You listen with deaf ears as Police chief Raymond Kelly explain how the five officers who killed the love of your life were at the Kalua Cabaret club to "document illicit activity". You wonder how a night of fun for a young, soon to be married father could turn into a night of death and despair. How could this happen? Why did this happen? Who is responsible?

Unfortunately, this horrid tale is not one of my short stories in the making; it is not fiction. Sadly enough, it is reality - a bad reality for too many young and old black men in America. This travesty actually happened. How do you respond to something like this?

I am so thankful for the family and friends of the late Sean Bell, aged 23, who had the courage and stamina to take action with community activists and lead a series of peaceful vigils and protests against the New York Police Department (NYPD). It is important that we hold NYPD accountable for their actions.

I encourage you to pray for the families involved on both sides. Pray for Nicole Paultrie, the late Sean Bell's fiancee. Pray that she find the strength and courage to move on with her life to raise her children. Pray for total healing for Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield. Pray for the children who are now fatherless. Pray that the police officers take responsibility for their misguided actions and that they find redemption and salvation. Pray for the city of New York and every inner city in America. Pray that we stay connected and involved in our communities and that we work diligently to ensure that we have systems in place that protect all Americans!