The events of this month so far have left me feeling torn in pieces.
Anyone who reads my blog from time to time will likely have noted that I am interested in, and largely sympathetic toward, law enforcement. Yet another dominant theme for me is social justice Indeed, on July 2nd, I announced that my theme for the quotes and images of this month would focus on diversity as a major strength of my homeland, the United States of America.
I chose it because the ugly rise in open racism that I have seen in recent years troubles me deeply, and I believe the most patriotic thing I can do is oppose that trend. I'm not the only one in my country who feels torn by seemingly competing loyalties, or betrayed by the oversimplifications it's too easy to fall into.
If I am supportive of the police, am I automatically unsympathetic to the minority communities that have so often been targeted, or oblivious to the seemingly-endless cases of unarmed black men (and boys) killed by police?
If I affirm that the protesters often have an all-too-valid point, am I undermining the authority and values of law enforcement, or denying the value of the rule of law?
No. I want a third way. I want a way where everyone's intrinsic value is affirmed: where ALL neighborhoods have access to good food, good education, health care, and job opportunities, and where the presence of the police is honestly welcomed.
As President Obama said in Dallas, we must keep our hearts open to our fellow Americans. "With an open heart, we can abandon the overheated rhetoric and the oversimplification that reduces whole categories of our fellow Americans not just [to] opponents, but to enemies."
I pray he was right when he said, "I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace." But it won't happen if we stay back in our bitter, angry corners and refuse to see each other's humanity. Each one of us has a responsibility to step up: to do all we can to make that vision a reality in our world.
IMAGE: Many thanks to Quartz, for the photo of the protester with the cops.
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| From Dallas, before the attack. Can we see more of this, please, and less of what came later? |
Anyone who reads my blog from time to time will likely have noted that I am interested in, and largely sympathetic toward, law enforcement. Yet another dominant theme for me is social justice Indeed, on July 2nd, I announced that my theme for the quotes and images of this month would focus on diversity as a major strength of my homeland, the United States of America.
I chose it because the ugly rise in open racism that I have seen in recent years troubles me deeply, and I believe the most patriotic thing I can do is oppose that trend. I'm not the only one in my country who feels torn by seemingly competing loyalties, or betrayed by the oversimplifications it's too easy to fall into.
If I am supportive of the police, am I automatically unsympathetic to the minority communities that have so often been targeted, or oblivious to the seemingly-endless cases of unarmed black men (and boys) killed by police?
If I affirm that the protesters often have an all-too-valid point, am I undermining the authority and values of law enforcement, or denying the value of the rule of law?
No. I want a third way. I want a way where everyone's intrinsic value is affirmed: where ALL neighborhoods have access to good food, good education, health care, and job opportunities, and where the presence of the police is honestly welcomed.
As President Obama said in Dallas, we must keep our hearts open to our fellow Americans. "With an open heart, we can abandon the overheated rhetoric and the oversimplification that reduces whole categories of our fellow Americans not just [to] opponents, but to enemies."
I pray he was right when he said, "I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace." But it won't happen if we stay back in our bitter, angry corners and refuse to see each other's humanity. Each one of us has a responsibility to step up: to do all we can to make that vision a reality in our world.
IMAGE: Many thanks to Quartz, for the photo of the protester with the cops.
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