Each and every day, something occurs
that grips our attention and keeps us on the edge of our seats in wanting to
know more about how and why something happen?
And this summer in Milwaukee has done just that. For
many of us, witnessing a riot that burned businesses in one neighborhood, looting,
throwing bricks and confronting police are nothing new for an older generation
who lived through the late 1960’s and martial law.
However, it is a new experience for
a younger generation that has been greatly impacted by a growing level of gun
violence, drug use, terrorism, high incarceration rates for people of color and
unemployment. Besides that, there was a rise
in the number of homicides in August that has not been seen in 25 years and now
a call for more law enforcement. Well
the picture is clear that something is wrong and what we have been doing is not
working.
Over the years, most of us have also
learned that the first step to take after a particular situation or event occurs
is to not rush to judgement or conclusions.
The reason for this position is simple; what we are first told too
often is not the whole story, but a snap-shot in time of what happen.
And as things begin to play out or investigated, more details emerge and that
alone can change or alert the way we see things. Of course, if it can be caught on video, then
things can change quickly.
Today, we are only beginning to see
the power of being able to reach beyond what we see or do only a fraction of
what is possible. The real test is to
move beyond the superficial details and move beyond our simple understanding of
what is happening, but to begin to delving into the depths of what is going
on. We need to learn more about the root
causes and long term impact of poverty, conflict, mental health, trauma, drug
use, and lead in water pipes, sub-standard housing, no health insurance and
racism. And if no one else is looking
into these pressing issues, then it is up to us to find the answers for
ourselves.
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