A little over a year ago, I thought, spoke, and posted harshly and ignorantly on Kyle Rittenhouse. I need to apologize for my quickness to condemn someone who was not condemned by either facts or evidence.
Rittenhouse’s trial has shined a light on many problems in our culture. From our desire for mob justice to looking up to foolish takes on law from personalities like LeBron James, it’s clear we’ve wandered far from the principle of innocent until proven guilty. In our thirst for immediate justice, ironically, we’re in danger of destroying our justice system and judging people based on rage, not on fact.
The media deserves blame for our wandering from lawful process, but they don’t deserve all the blame. We’re to blame too. At least people like me are to blame. After the riots in Kenosha, I jumped on the media’s train of lies. I wasn’t forced on. I willfully joined in the public shaming of a teenager. In a time of immense cultural upheaval, I caved to pressure and judged Rittenhouse to be nothing but a thug looking for trouble who deserved to be punished by the law. Like so many, I judged ignorantly, and for that, I apologize. For one thing, I’m a journalist, and to write or post on an issue I’m ignorant of is unprofessional and immature. But the main thing is I’m a Christian, and to speak harshly of someone without understanding his situation is not Christ-like (Eph. 4:31).
It’s time for journalists to be open and honest about their mistakes, whether that be on social media or in their reporting. And it’s always time for Christians to repent of their sin, especially when it’s on social media. I’m glad Rittenhouse’s case will be decided through our lawful justice system a year after the incident than by my own rage-filled judgment the day after the footage flashed across my screen.
In a world of rage and lies, let’s be more understanding and honest because it’s only in an understanding and honest culture that justice can run its course.