Interact Now!

These days in the United States there is much tension in the air. With more mass shootings within the past week, folks are speaking out as to why this time of terrible violence is happening and what should be done about. Much of the heated rhetoric is driven by anger, fear, frustration, and passion. All of it is understandable though, in part, misguided. For instance, I do not accept the notion that the shootings are the acts of persons wishing to overthrow the US. As in any such extreme actions, each has multiple trigger points. These might include a genuine desire to save America or, at the very least, help keep it safe. Others might represent the darker elements that actually want to harm our country.

One group currently fueling much outcry is Black Lives Matter. Its very name is the subject of controversy among some. There are those who view the group as depicting themselves as being of greater importance on others, such as Latino, whites and Hispanic. At the same time, members of BLM claim this is not the case. Their supporters view Blacks as being vulnerable much as, say, women were decades ago. Consequently, the plight of Blacks need to be highlighted, they say. While I agree with this perspective, I recognize there exists a significant gap between BLM's non-supporters and supporters. It is a communication problem.

One troubling point in all this is the fact little meaningful dialog between concerned folks seems to be occurring regardless of the passion all feel and display. Why aren't they talking? Why aren't more leaders moving toward inspiring greater interaction? The fact they are not, despite their levels of high position, makes them part of the communication problem; makes them part of the racial divide currently in the US. Differences must be met with interaction. Without verbal engagement, I see little chance of improving what currently is a sad chapter in our nation's history.