Black and Blue in America

Wisconsin Man Shot by Police

Everyday, American police put their lives on the line to keep communities safe from violence. Many deal with the trauma of urban combat for years--trauma that affects their minds and relationships. America needs a strong blue line.

Police Officers Shot in Philadelphia

Headlines reveal black families torn by grief as another loved one lies before us gunned down by a police officer. The traumatic scene is an image played on the minds of children, spouses, and parents. The hole in the heart lasts a lifetime.

American police can be judged unfairly by the lurid and obscene violence of a few officers.

American protesters can be judged unfairly by the destructive and wanton destruction of family businesses and cars.

Racism exists and must be protested when racists show their fists. Peaceful protesters need police protection. Laws, policies, and training programs must be changed as needed to promote safe communities.

Systemic Racism can exist in unjust laws, unjust sentences, biased policies, biased training programs, political statements, online posts, and more.

Violent people enjoy protest scenes where they can get away with theft and the joy of destruction.

Wise people do not engage in verbal violence toward groups of peaceful people who look like the violent. Verbal violence and physical violence are malevolent twins.

Wise people praise the good, denounce the bad, and seek evidence-based remedies to create a safer society for all.

Police forces build their reputation each day. Like any profession, they must police their own and expose and remove abusive members.

Protesters need nonviolent leaders focused on goals that remedy the evil at hand. And they need voices in government to change unjust systems.

BLACK LIVES MATTER because for so long they have not. We must emphasize this point until all lives are treated with equal respect.

Blue lives matter because all of us need competent, professional, officers to keep us safe.

All lives matter because we are all in this together.

Our votes, voices, and actions can promote peace, lift up the oppressed, and create a better America.

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