I wanted to talk about Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. I started writing and then deleted everything. My thoughts and words seem inadequate, yet I know, as a white person, my silence on yet another week of needless deaths is worse. We, as in White America, with our prejudices and mistrust of people who are different than us have created a society of fear, more mistrust and hate. See how those things feed on each other? As a whole, it seems that there are too many blind to this concept. 

Every time ISIS claims responsibility for a terrorist attack, they are banking on the backlash on Muslims to be their recruiting tool. They know that any time a person of authority (like a presidential candidate) speaks out about banning Muslims from their country or making all Muslims be on a registry, that seeds are being planted in an impressionable young person's head. Why on earth should they have any loyalties for a country like that? What is happening on a daily basis between law enforcement and our black communities is causing the same kind of damage. Why on earth should anyone have loyalties to a country who treats them as if they were criminals and second class citizens? 

Second class citizen should not even be a phrase in our vocabulary. Have we forgotten the pride we took as a nation to be considered a melting pot nation?

The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogenous, the different elements 'melting' together in a harmonious whole with a common culture.

As a White American, I take responsibility for the part I play in this. I will watch out for my neighbors. I will use my white privilege to make my community a better place for ALL. I will use my voice to speak out against injustice. I will not be silent or complacent. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to those families.