The recent catastrophes last week where black men and white cops were killed initially inflamed many, but mostly, it brought about a period of solemn sadness and grief. With emotions spiked, the divisive rhetoric and accusations, thankfully, did seem to take a hiatus. I am pleased that the president met Monday, and again on Wednesday, with law enforcement leadership and others committed to bridging the gap between black men and police.
Many voices recently have held President Barack Obama responsible for exacerbating the divisiveness that exists in our race relations. There is some evidence of that, but I recognize what a difficult position our first black president wrestles with every time he speaks about racial tensions. It is a positive that he understands black fear of police and he aims to make more of us aware of this reality. On the other hand, he needs to applaud the overwhelming good work that the police regularly do and not appear to malign all of law enforcement.
I think his comments Tuesday at the memorial service in Dallas indicate he may be determined to set a more balanced tone ("Obama mourns slain Dallas officers: They 'shared a commitment to something larger than themselves,'" July 12). Unfortunately, his support of Black Lives Matter does not contribute to setting a tone for unity. President Obama can and should demonstrate pronounced leadership on the topic of race, leadership that BLM could echo, instead of this activist group getting much attention and then the president echoing and supporting them. For any movement to make inroads, they first need loud activists to clearly announce the problem and a call for action. BLM has done that. I think that most Americans appreciate that we have to change the way cops and black men unnecessarily get hurt in escalating violence. Consider that phase one.
Now, it's the president's task to recognize that Black Lives Matter has helped get the message out and go way beyond that to help advance collaboration between the groups that can productively work together passionately, but without anger, to advance ideas for potential solutions. It is my hope that he will do this and remain committed to talking to the American people and not simply after tragically sad incidents.
Stephen C. Brown, Towson