Former University of Missouri basketball star Michael Porter Jr. is under attack for a tweet following the shooting in Minneapolis this week. Porter, now a rookie with the Denver Nuggets, asked followers to pray for the police officers as well as those of the victim, George Floyd.
https://twitter.com/MPJr/status/1265702305086664709
“As much as you pray for George family, gotta also pray for the police officer(s) who were involved in this evil. As hard as it is, pray for them instead of hate them… Pray that God changes their hearts,” Porter wrote.
George Floyd left, and Officer Derek Chauvin
The reactions to the tweet came fast and furious. Some Christian critics said they had prayed enough about racial injustice already and dismissed his comments as tone deaf.
“I don’t know who you are but I’m not praying for those police officers. At least they get to go home to their families every day. While George Floyd family has to prepare for his funeral. Hatred in those officers heart is why he’s dead. So spare me, please,” replied one grandmother under the username Nana_50
Porter responded, “You’re right, hatred is why George is dead, and so many others before him. That hatred is why our hearts are breaking. That hatred is why I pray to a God of love.”
Many critics accused the 21-year-old biracial player, who has a black father and a white mother, of being inexperienced and lacking discernment. Porter maintained in his response to commenters that his allegiance is to God.
“I have one allegiance, and that’s to the God who loves you and me and George Floyd more than we can possibly imagine. We were meant to live as brothers and sisters, all of us God’s children. So I don’t need to fit into your boxes,” he said.
Pastor Justin Garrett of Athens Church in Kansas City defended Porter’s comments.
“Justice must be sought,” he said. “Praying for someone doesn’t mean any action is undone. Mike’s tweet is unpopular, as you can see from the comments. But remember Dr. King — ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice