As most of you are aware, I launched my brand-new podcast entitled, “Thought Revolution with Lance Hahn” on the AccessMore.com platform. In my first episode I mentioned what type of Revolution I hope to lead; it was a revolution of thought…a revolution of mindset…a revolution of perspective. I want to be a change agent in America. I want our country to become what God intended it to be and right now it’s splintered apart with polarizing views and the demonization of the ‘other side,’ not just with black lives versus the police, but with how we are handling the Coronavirus, with party politics, with vaccinations, with everything!
In that first episode I laid out one of the key foundations for my Thought Revolution and it was the concept of the RADICAL MIDDLE.
The RADICAL MIDDLE is the idea that wisdom lies between the extremes. There is never one side of an argument. Stereotyping, pat answers, simple solutions and broad categories are fool’s errands. For a long time, the idea of being in the middle was seen as riding the fence, wimping out, milquetoast, refusing to commit and weakness. I want to redefine it.
In a land where I am forced to be all one way or another is not a land where I want to live. To ignorantly follow the extreme voices of our nation is not where I want to acquire my wisdom. To be played and manipulated by the pundits in the media is not for me.
I want to know what wisdom says. I want to know what God says. I want to be about what is right, not what is popular.
I refuse to let the extreme voices dictate the conversation. I’m going to be a loud voice that says, ‘enough is enough! Stop making needless enemies, when we can make powerful allies, just by being intellectually honest and looking at issues from multiple sides.’
And then George Floyd was murdered.
What do I say now? Is there a RADICAL MIDDLE to this situation, to this conversation?
Yes, absolutely there is, if someone is willing to take the time to listen.
No, there’s no RADICAL MIDDLE to the needless murder of a black man by the hands of a police officer. That is purely wrong, 100%.
What there is a RADICAL MIDDLE response to is the underlying issue that caused it in the first place and how our nation is responding in dangerous rioting.
I’ve been told by society that I either need to be for the protection of black lives OR, I need to be pro-law enforcement. I’ve been sold two options and told that anything else will be shouted down. I’ve been told that for me to call George Floyd’s death a murder by an officer and support the public outcry is turning my back on my brothers and sisters in law enforcement, to castigate the Blue. I’ve been told that to bring a balanced approach to law enforcement reform and explain that 95% of Law Enforcement and First Responders are good, honest people putting a uniform on every day and walking into danger, is tantamount to being a white supremacist and hatred toward my beloved African American family.
I say to those voices, “STOP IT!” Stop turning a blind eye to wisdom. Stop being so afraid that nothing will change, or that everything will change, that you are willing to shout things you don’t really believe. Stop letting fear rule the day. Start letting the voice of reason back into your heart and the voice of God, the voice of wisdom, back into your spirit.
These things can be mutually true:
- George Floyd’s murder was a horrific tragedy that never should have happened, AND most officers in our nation serve and protect all ethnicities.
- There is systemic racism in America AND good people are trying to change it, but it’s difficult.
- There is room for protest and anger, AND we need to be wise about how to do that and refuse to let our baser instincts prevail.
- Minorities are unfairly treated and need to demand justice, AND there’s a tremendous amount of First Responders who agree with that statement.
- The color of George Floyd’s skin was likely a significant part of the over-reaction of the officer, AND we’ve made tremendous strides in rooting out prejudice and racism in America.
- Black Lives Matter has a valid point AND so do those trying to protect police officers.
Bridgeway Christian Church, the house of faith that I lead as the Senior Pastor, simultaneously, hosted a four-week symposium on Racism (Healing an Ethnically Wounded Nation), AND an annual awards banquet for the Roseville Police and Firefighters. We put a significant amount of time and money into both, because both are true and necessary.
I am not telling America to calm down. There are times when our righteous anger needs to boil over and scream from the rooftops and viciously demand justice. There are times when quiet conversations in the back rooms aren’t accomplishing anything significant.
I am not telling the black community that what happened in Minneapolis was a rare occurrence, or that you need to have it on camera to prove it. For every Philando Castile, Ahmaud Arbery, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and George Floyd, there are thousands not caught on camera. I believe you.
I am not telling police officers that they are all unknowingly racist, that they don’t take care of us, or that they don’t put their lives on the line every day. I hold police officers in high esteem and consider them to be heroes. I know you are trying to do your best and that a few spoil it for all of you. I know that greater restrictions on policies put your lives in greater danger. I believe you.
What I am saying is that more hatred doesn’t erase the old hatred and polarizing views never win the day. I’m saying that both sides have a valuable opinion and that we are actually all far more on the same page than we would like to admit. I am saying that change needs to happen and if we all partnered together, it wouldn’t have risen to this dangerous level, yet violence and property damage only makes criminals out of well-intended, hurt, people.
I want change. I want justice. I don’t have all the answers on how to do that, but I do know one thing: The extreme voices on our airwaves will never get us there.
Join me in the RADICAL MIDDLE and join my THOUGHT REVOLUTION.
