For the last few months, the media has been awash with reports of racial tension between African Americans living in low-income areas and the police. The protests, riots, and looting that follow after each of these crises remind us that racial profiling, poverty, unemployment, and socio-economic segregation fuel hopelessness, fear, and resentment. And much like a toddler having a tantrum, young people release their frustration in ways that call negative attention to themselves and their parents. Riots and looting are never justified--these events always reinforce prejudicial stereotypes and increase agitation. Violence solves nothing; it only serves to further polarize groups along racial, economic, and political lines.
I don’t have any viable solutions to these huge problems. I have opinions, but sharing them will probably just add to the turbulence. We all respond to these issues in different ways: Some ignore it and are thankful they live far away from the tension. Others air their opinions on social media. I have been going back and forth between inner turmoil and prayer.
Lord, we have made a big mess. We don’t know how to clean it up. Please help. Restore humanity to your intended purposes.
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