It's seriously rare that we hear from former President George W. Bush, even during times of great upheaval. But he clearly felt compelled to speak out and make his feelings known when it comes to police brutality against black people and what the response should be.
The former president was also clear that he was shaken by the death of George Floyd.
He made note that he had "resisted the urge to speak out because this is not the time for us to lecture. It is time for us to listen." But at the same time, he wanted to share some words that perhaps some people really need to hear right now.
"It remains a shocking failure that many African-Americans, especially young African-American men, are harassed and threatened in their own country," Bush said.
In the two-page statement, the former president wanted to be clear that he supports people who are peacefully protesting. After all, it's an American right to do so. "There is a better way — the way of empathy, and shared commitment, and bold action, and a peace rooted in justice," Bush said in the statement. "I am confident that together, Americans will choose the better way."
While Bush is clearly in support of peaceful protests, he also spoke out about any violence that may come from the demonstrations, too. "Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress," Bush said. "But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice."
He continued, saying that "lasting justice will only come by peaceful means." Those words are powerful, because right now, there is so much anger — and rightfully so. But the former president wants to make sure that more violence doesn't come as a result of that anger.
Bush's words are impactful, especially because he mostly likes to keep his opinions to himself. But in times when the country is hurting so deeply, as a former president he definitely still feels that, on occasion, his voice may make a difference. It seems like now, as we are deep in a movement as so many continue, or begin for the first time, to fight for racial justice, he felt his words would be valuable.
In the wake of George Floyd's tragic death, protests have been held around the country. In some instances, police responded with tear gas and pepper spray. While some are defending the use of force to stop peaceful demonstrations, others are condemning those actions. George W. Bush wants to make sure it's known that peaceful protest should always be welcomed in America.
Bush said Floyd's death follows a "long series of similar tragedies" and "raises a long-overdue question: How do we end systemic racism in our society?"
It's a poignant question and yet one that just about everyone should be asking themselves during these intense and incredibly important times.
While there's no doubt that the former president loves his country, he also says he sees that there are still deeply challenging difficulties that so many people still face. "Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions," he said.
As so many others have done during this turbulent time in American history, including former President Barack Obama, George W. Bush has made his feelings known. He stands against police brutality and with peaceful protesters. We don't hear from the 43rd president too often, but this was a hope-filled message and one so many Americans will likely be glad to hear.
