Instead of posing with a Bible, I wish President Trump had opened it to find some much-needed words of wisdom and guidance, such as this verse from the Hebrew scriptures in Micah 6:8: “… and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
We need to imagine a country where justice is real – where kindness and humility are guiding principles. We need leadership that says to the peaceful protestors, “We hear you – and you are right,” and then listens to what they have to say.
We need to imagine a country that addresses the impact of 400 years of systemic racism – and we need to act to change our systems to provide everyone with an even playing field.
This will not be easy. This will take courage, especially from our leaders. This will take time. We will make mistakes along the way, but we need to keep at it until we can stand up and say, “I am proud to live in a country where all people are recognized as having something valuable to contribute and have the same opportunities to bring their best selves – their gifts – their talents to the table.”
To face the challenges of this world, whether it is finding a cure for a novel coronavirus or addressing climate change or stamping out genocide or domestic violence or exploited children, we need everyone’s best self contributing and working together.
Ending systemic racism is not only the right thing to do, it is also what can truly make us a great nation.
NANCY BROWN
Hopkinton