Focus on racial reconciliation

Focus on racial reconciliation

News outlets are reporting on one police shooting of a black person after another and the protests that follow. It's not just isolated in one part of the country either. We have a big problem in that our progress toward racial reconciliation has been thoroughly derailed.

During the last five decades or so, it seems that the country was intently focused on making positive strides toward racial reconciliation. Not to say that any where near enough progress has been made, but movement seemed to be going in the right direction, at least.

Now, the momentum seems to be gone, relations stagnating or perhaps, decaying and the situation has become down right dangerous; people are dying. What caused the train to become derailed? Why did the efforts seem to loose steam?

At about the same time the momentum toward racial reconciliation seemed to dwindle, other social movements seemed to gain momentum. Most notably to date, the LGBT right to marry and related equality issues have claimed the spotlight with Hollywood, news media and politicians.

Whereas, equality is a noble goal to pursue for society, I wonder if the energies toward racial reconciliation haven't been diluted by the more popular LGBT movement? I think, where there has been a loss of life or the real possibility of it, such as with the police shootings, this should take priority over other social issues - the consequences are simply more dire. I mean, it's fashionable to be gay or trans, but it can be fatal to be a young black male. I think as a country if we don't refocus our efforts toward racial reconciliation, the situation will tragically spiral completely out of control.

Brian Van Dine

Glendale Heights