Winnipeg rapper and Christian minister mistakenly pulled over by cops - exploring his options...
He feared his reputation would be damaged because he was mistakenly pulled over, frisked and searched. Fresh ie has very good reason to believe his reputation is at stake in what happened on Wednesday afternoon on the corner of Ellice and Donald. After three days of intense media scrutiny, front page headlines of "rapper wronged", "fresh ie accuses cops of racial profiling" and interviews on all of Winnipeg's media outlets... these ARE days when reputations are made or marred. As I opened the press release sent to my inbox early Thursday morning from Fresh IE's publicist I found myself wishing I was not reading what was there. The press release and ensuing media frenzy is a missed opportunity of the grandest proportions for Fresh IE. The press release stated that Fresh ie found the police's apology on the scene both "repulsive and unacceptable"! and concludes by saying that he "will be examining his legal options in the next few days in regards to this unfortunate incident". That's what the press release said, but here's what it could have said. It could have stated that Christian rapper and inner-city youth minister was mistakenly apprehended on Wednesday afternoon by Winnipeg police. That he was clearly shaken by the unfortunate incident, but wants to thank the Winnipeg Police Service for their ongoing efforts in putting their lives at risk for the sake of all citizens. It could have stated, that just the day before he had joined with many of Winnipeg's pastors and ministers in praying specifically for the Police Service. It could have stated that while many who find themselves on the unfortunate side of injustice and mistaken identity may quickly seek out legal counsel, Fresh's own personal experience and message to aboriginal youth across our nation is that of a loving and merciful God who does not treat us as we deserve. So rather than pursue legal condemnation, Fresh will pursue gracious commendation. Make no mistake, reputations were definitely at stake on Wednesday afternoon when the cruisers pulled in. But Fresh ie's reputation has nothing to do with police dispatchers, it has everything to do with what was said and done when the police left. In terms of reputation, Fresh has now joined the ranks of those who in the face of tragic circumstances call for justice at any cost. That's what he won in the media scrum. And what did he lose? He lost the priceless reputation of being forever known as the inner-city Christian youth minister who in the face of mistaken identity offered a grace so unusual it can only be credited to something God would do. Faced with injustice, do you call for justice or offer mercy? Now it's your call. |
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