A powerful encounter started when a black police officer pulled over a white driver.
Mike Powers, the driver, was driving through Mississippi recently when he was pulled over for speeding.
The officer took Powers’ license and registration, went back to his car, then came back with a ticket. “As he started to walk away I asked him how he’s handling everything and how the cops are feeling in Mississippi with all of the senseless killings this week throughout the country,” Powers said via Facebook.
“He said ’things are tough, but we’re hanging in there and just trying to do the right thing and keep people safe...but it’s scary.‘ I told him ’just so you know,' a lot of people are standing with you all and respect the risks you take every day to keep us safe.”
Powers then made a huge gesture. “I took my bracelet off and told him that I give these out to my family, friends, and military members who might need extra protection and that I hope it will keep him safe,” Powers said. “He took the bracelet, put it on, and his eyes started to tear up. I saw how much pain and stress this man and his family were probably under. I teared up too. As he walked away he said ’this means more than you can imagine.'”
Powers says the simple situation illustrates a powerful truth.
“Two grown ass men, of different color, careers, upbringing, and journeys, who had never met before, sitting on the side of the road in Mississippi tearing up over how confusing and hate filled the world has become...shocked by random acts of kindness...realizing we aren’t alone in a world where evil tries to divide us every chance it gets.”
