Leroy Barber
Leroy Barber, Global Executive Director of Word Made Flesh, has been a leader within the evangelical community for over three decades. This past week Leroy joined other leaders in Ferguson in the wake of Michael Brown’s death. We asked Leroy what’s been on his mind during these tumultuous days.
You run an international organization that keeps you busy around the globe. Why did you decide to go to Ferguson?
When I heard about what happened there, my first thought was honestly about my older sons. One is twenty-four and the other is twenty-one. They are both college students and young adults. I thought, “Where are they right now? This could possibly be them.” I ran those questions through my head and it touched me in a different place, a deeper place. The Trayvon shooting also hit me pretty hard.
As for Ferguson, I felt drawn to be there and walk with the family. I saw a clip on the news when this mom first saw her son’s body—the scream she let out just went through me. It was not about the law or politics. It was just putting myself in her shoes.
What did you experience the first night you were in Ferguson, about two weeks after Michael Brown was shot?
We parked about a mile outside of the town and we walked. There were police at the border of town. They were checking every car. We kept walking and then along the way we saw more and more police presence. First there were a few cops on the side of the road, and then a few more and then a few more. Then, cops with bullet-proof vests. Then, closer in, there were Humvees, tanks, and people protesting and marching. It was quite an overwhelming scene. Once we arrived in Ferguson, The overwhelming number of people were practicing peaceful resistance. But there was definitely anger toward the police. It seems that their massive presence only exacerbated that.
What would you say the rest of America is not getting from our internet and evening news reports?
I think most media is failing to show the beauty of people who live in Ferguson. They’re not always reflecting the amount of strength that these folks have for bringing justice. Their resolve to protest and lament peacefully is beautiful.
When I went by the place where Mike Brown was shot, there was a woman on the side of the road who has set up a place for people to lament through art. She had set up a canvas, and had cut out words, and paints, and all of these kinds of things so that people could express themselves. There were kids from the community sitting around drawing. People were finding ways to help each other to participate in a healthy way.
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SOURCE: Christianity Today
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