A lesson learned from childhood was that when you make a mess, you clean it. I understand that some responsible parties did just that in the earnest community clean up on Tuesday ("Baltimore communities cleaning up after riots," April 28). That was the visible material mess. What about the more difficult societal mess that lingers, the inequality, economic disparity, lack of quality educational opportunities, decent paying jobs and affordable housing in Baltimore City?
In March, I went on my reparation mission to Central America, the 26th year, to "make up" for the U.S.-funded wars there during the last century. Since I cannot bring back loved ones killed in those wars, I had read with great interest the article by Karsonya Wise Whitehead and Conra Gist, ("Why reparations matter to the U.S.," March 1). They wrote that it is not about money but the way people are seen and valued in society. This seemed to fit Central America.
Now back home in Baltimore, I find cause to revisit this article for reflection and action to responsibly clean up our societal mess, the "unjust structures, practices, and norms that created the intentional and unintentional persistent patterns of inequality." I did not participate in Tuesday's efforts, but as an individual I am also part of a community and a resident of Baltimore City, so I have an obligation to bring about much needed and long overdue social justice. I received helpful advice from a thoughtful young African American man not to focus on our differences as that can divide us. It is important to concentrate on what we have in common as human beings in order to construct a better future for all of us. Two women from other countries reminded me that "we are all in this together" and indeed we are, or it does not get done!
Sister Patricia A. Rogucki, Baltimore