The answers lie in individual acts

I was raised with the saying "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Many are faced with a sense of hopelessness, despair, fear, anger. We ask, "What next?" Then the front page of your paper had an article how a few teenagers in Warren, turned what could have been another step toward more bitterness and divisiveness into a day of hope and friendship.

The underlying fears and prejudices that have been simmering just below the surface of our society are raising their ugly heads, but there are ways to respond.

Our legislatures are not the answer. But we, the people, can do something one step at a time.

All the various media can set their minds to publicizing every "act of kindness" that moves us forward. Chicago has communities that are really making their block, their area, better and safer. Publicize that, not the violence.

Students, community leaders, houses of worship, make just the spot where you are a better place to be.

Make the children, your neighbors and your community members feel welcome.

At Warren, 2,500 hundred Post-it notes by a just a few teenagers. They made a difference.

I have been saying "happy Thanksgiving" to random people in stores - when the line is long, when shopping carts collide, etc. and I am always greeted with a warm response. Thursday in my family we have a loved ones on the left and the right, so instead of politics, I am printing out all of our wonderful American songs and we are going to sing along to America the Beautiful, etc.

Remember what we do have and have a safe and warm Thanksgiving

Karen Meadows

Buffalo Grove