Racism is alive and well in the U.S.

Recent events in the United States show that racism is very much alive. Media reports of the incident are a citizen sees what she believes to be a break -in of the neighbor’s home. She acts properly and notifies the local police and officers are dispatched to investigate and protect the home.

Turns out, it’s the owner breaking in because he lost his keys. Not that unusual, people lose their keys and force their way in rather than call a locksmith. None-the-less, suspicious and the neighbor acted properly. The owner, highly educated, is irritated that the officers would challenge him and ask for proof of his identity and that he lives there. People never lie to officers and crooks never try to con their way out of the situation — so the officer should have just accept his word without proof? In this case the homeowner should have been pleased that his neighbor took the time to call and that the police came. Instead he immediately pushes the “race” button.

The most damaging part of the incident is when the president immediately push the “race” button. He spoke out on an issue that he admitted up front, he didn’t have all the facts. That’s pretty scary! What else will the president and the powerful office he holds speak out or act on without knowing the facts?

Gates, an educated man, demonstrated education didn’t erase racism. Neighbors likely won’t get involved in the future, already a problem, even more so in minority areas.  The officers who try to do their jobs eventually get beaten down from everything from brow beatings to influence from foreign counties. I know what I’m talking about I saw it many times in more than 30y years holding various positions in the (justice?) system.

ED GOULD

Hope