Every life has value. As a society, we must take to heart the reality that, all too often, black lives don’t have value. “Black Lives Matter” focuses our attention on this fact. It does not imply that “Only Black Lives Matter.” All lives matter.
Last Sunday in Knoxville, a pastor mourned the deaths of police and black men. “Let us make choices that draw this city and this nation together,” he urged.
On Tuesday in Atlanta, at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, I felt such admiration for the courage of those who lay their lives on the line for the rights of all, such grief to remember the hatreds and losses then and now.
Seeds of fear and anger live in me. Will I water those seeds?
Seeds of racism live in me. Will I water those seeds?
This is where my choices begin. But it’s not where they end.
Communities that have been separate must begin to live and work together. Police and the communities they are sworn to protect must be able to respect each other. What will this look like in Knoxville, in Atlanta or in New Hampshire? Our choices will create our future.
DAVID BLAIR
Harrisville