I’m going to say up front I don’t intend to kneel for anyone, or to wash a stranger’s feet to atone for being white. I won’t apologize. I didn’t do anything wrong and haven’t benefited from another’s misfortune. I grew up in a working-class neighborhood, Savin Hill. My mom emptied buckets, cleaned floors, and took care of the family when she returned home from work. My dad worked at a local machine shop until drink momentarily took control of his life. Then he stopped drinking and became a handyman around the house. We didn’t have much, but we did have family. We did have love.
I’m not rich. I’m not poor. Nothing was handed to me. I sold newspapers on the corners, in the local bars, had a paper route and shined shoes and worked after school while in high school. I was the first kid in my family to attend college and worked afterwards to make a buck and provide shelter and food for my family. I don’t want a pat on the back. I’m just someone who, minus the silver spoon, appreciates being an American.
We are aware of what has transpired in the past. Our history cannot be denied. Slavery was a horrific institution and thankfully was cast aside so all Americans could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of justice. We also realize it’s been a dark road traveled by many in the subsequent years, but much, much progress has been made to rectify the sins of the past.
Today our country is going through trying times. After being shut indoors due to COVID-19, and watching the tragic death of George Floyd, we watched American cities burn. We watched peaceful protesters overshadowed by thugs bent on looting, burning, and hurting others. All this they say in the name of social justice. But this is not social justice, simply anarchy, lawlessness, and murder.
Most Americans are fair-minded, reasonable people: and not racists. Declarations to defund and/or abolish the police by the radical Left are dangerous and ill-conceived. Who will suffer as a result? Poor people in our inner cities who want to be protected by the police, that’s who will suffer. Poor blacks. Poor whites. Poor Hispanics. Poor everybody.
Look at what’s happened in Chicago. People have been terrorized, hurt and murdered. Businesses burned to the ground. As we move forward to heal this nation, could you dare imagine what would happen in Chicago and other American cities (again) if fewer police were on the street? I know the radical Left don’t care, but do those in power want us to suffer the purge for real?
Police nationwide have been villainized. That is wrong. Most police officers uphold the law and treat others equally and with respect. It’s the evil ones who shouldn’t be wearing badges. They’re the ones committing heinous deeds and shall be brought to justice. Not the good ones. There is little doubt, that reforms should be implemented as soon as possible so we can all feel safe when we see a police officer on the scene. That’s what fair-minded Americans want, need, and deserve. And not radical, political rhetoric and deeds bent on the dismantling of American society.
