Come Together, Before We Tear Apart

THIS is decidedly not the answer. 

A sniper ambushes police in Dallas, killing five, because he was mad at white people and wanted to kill white police officers.  This was met by an attempted escalation of hostilities by a former member of the House of Representatives.

I was looking very hard to find a picture I came across late last night of what the demonstrations in Dallas were like before the gunman cut loose.  It was a pair of Dallas police officers and a protester smiling together.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find it – it was lost amongst photos of carnage, chaos and confusion.

It was a picture of protesters and police doing it right.  A lawful demonstration that was by all accounts peaceful. The police were there to maintain order and used the opportunity for outreach. The way it is supposed to work in the United States.

After the shooting there was solidarity and shared grief.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Ting Shen/Dallas News)

 

There is no racial divide in grief, just sadness and loss.  In the span of 72 hours seven people were killed in racially motivated – or at least racially charged – incidents. 

In the aftermath, former Illinois Representative (a one-termer – thank you Illinois!) Joe Walsh, apparently while ironing his white sheet and hood, tweeted:

“Real” America?  REAL?  You mean WHITE America, Joey?

You know what is real, Herr Walsh?  Diversity.  Differences.  All shades of color.  THAT is America.  You don’t like it? Get the hell out. Walsh is Irish, right?  Then guess what?  YOU’RE not a “real” American either!

Real Americans celebrate our diversity and confront intolerance (any Colby class of ‘87s out there recognize that?).  Real Americans grow as our country does.  We’re inclusive not exclusive.  We don’t spin hate and divisiveness but recognize that our diversity and differences are what makes us great.

Obviously there are real issues here that need to be resolved. Dialogue is the key to understanding how we’re more alike than we are different and diffusing fear of each other. 

You know what we all want, black or white?

Our kids to grow up safely.  To be accepted for what we bring to the table, not denied a seat at it.  To “not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.”  Opportunity to make a life for our families.  To live in peace.

I pray that we use this dumpster fire of a week to learn that we are stronger together and that dialogue and positive interaction is the only way to change, grow and move forward.

Any of these goals sound color specific to you?  No…they don’t to me either.