Community unite: all for all

I have lived in this community for most of my life and have witnessed many changes, some for better, some for worse and some did nothing. Nevertheless we are facing our most difficult challenge – to unite this community. Our failure to unite has triggered a more defined separation between local residents. We (different races) gather at meetings, eat at

restaurants, serve on boards/committees, govemmental positions at all levels, and even go to church together and still remain segregated.

There are several local groups addressing many of the same problems in the community with good intentions but the problem with that is that the groups can’t seem to come together and collaborate to find the best ways to begin the healing process. The problem I see is that there are too many “Chiefs and not enough Indians.” We should not be seeking recognition for doing what is right but be more concern about the overall healing of the community. There must be an unwavering commitment by all of us especially those who have the power to make true changes for all citizens and not just some. We

must overcome the many problems that mistrust have created in our community by inviting all those who are concerned enough to meet and honestly discuss what we can do to help each other improve our community. If we are not willing to work as one; regardless of social status in our community we will not turn the current problems around. We must unite and

seek the best for all citizens.

I

The media many times commend the community on how well we react during times of disaster -the `Hundred Year Flood of 1993, the 2007 Tomado; but when we faced the disaster of the two killed officers our reactions were not the same. Some of the citizens along with others outside of the community allowed feelings of anger and prejudice to take control of good sense to see that there were THREE families suffering from that terrible act/disaster. The families of the two fallen Officers received an overwhelming amount of support while the family of the assailant was treated as though they were responsible for the murders.

We should remember that all lives matter. Our justice system overall is unequal because depending on who you are and many times the race that you are affects the judicial outcome of a crime. This in many cases result in violence from those who feel mistreated. On the other hand there is too much violence within the Black Community against one another. Surely I understand the frustrations we have when being approached by white officers and things could go bad quickly. Nonetheless, we are required to give them respect and be courtesy even if they are disrespectful to you; two wrongs will never equal right. More than that, Black people must stop killing each other because we are killing each other faster than the police officers are killing us. This is an issue that truly needs to be addressed immediately by Black community leaders and others.

Sometimes it appears that there are some people of all races who have no interest in real constructive change for this community. In other words, `they just don’t care.’ But this is a time where those who do care and are concerned must step-up to the challenge for change. Too many good folks are too silent and must come out of the shadows. We as concerned citizens must see that the common ground is to have a more safe and better community environment conducive for everyone to live and feel safe and to grow. How do we do that? We must makeup our minds to see issues and not race or Big `I’s’ and little `you.’ If we are not willing to work as one and close the great divide that exist between the haves and the have not’s in our community we will not turn the current problems around.

We must unite and make Changes for All Citizens.

Mathis Kearse Wright Jr.

Leslie

 

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