The need for prayer is in the air. With angry youth in Baltimore expressing social discontent in destructive ways ("Baltimore riots lead to 235 arrests, 20 injured officers," April 28), we need to pray. With acts of injustice against black men becoming more prevalent, and with social media becoming more visibly apparent, we need to pray. With businesses being looted, buildings being burned, and a state of emergency declared in Baltimore, we need to pray. With mounting distrust between various segments of our communities across the county and the police, we need to pray.
These and other unfortunate recent situations in our region and country remind us that we should never sit idly by and watch injustice happen. Instead, we should work together to ensure that all people feel heard, and legislation, policies, systems and best practices are in place to correct any acts of injustice.
And while we are extremely blessed in Howard County, we have needs that warrant continued prayer as well.
Let us pray that corrective legislation is filed in Howard County to ensure that affordable units will be included in the development plans for Downtown Columbia. Lastly, let us pray that we continue to work to be a healthy county, and not just a wealthy and well-educated county, providing our children, residents, and employees with healthier food choices on county-owned property.
Rev. Robert A. F. Turner Sr., Columbia
The writer is pastor of St. John Baptist Church.