Volume 4, Issue 33
The recent riots in Milwaukee are a continuing tragedy of racial divide, suspicion, and lack of respect for authority generated by what some feel is a lack of respect for race in America. The police officer’s body camera video has not been released. The same sad story is repeated. Police conduct a routine traffic stop involving two African-Americans. Both got out and fled. This immediately leads the officers to believe their safety is in jeopardy. The driver is believed to have a gun and a split-second decision has to be made on whether the intent of the citizen is to resist arrest by force. However, regardless of the evidence, riots ensue without waiting for all the facts to be ventilated. There may be questionable police enforcement, but in all the incidents of recent riots in America, from West Baltimore to Milwaukee, there is no evidence of cover-up. The judicial process of investigating and prosecuting instances of violations of due process has been thorough, complete, and determinative. A rogue officer or officers, violative of an individual’s rights, will be prosecuted and held accountable through the judicial process. Riots have nothing to do with exacting the rule of law. Wherein does this absolute distrust imbed its convictions?
Which America then is it?
Are we hopelessly divided in that there is such disregard for and lack of trust in the protocol of the system to apply opportunity equally? Or is there hope that we can support each other through the nomenclature of the system to become better individuals? What must be accomplished by the United States, through leadership of elected officials and civic leaders, to re-instill the trust that through trials and tribulations in the pursuit of excellence, the outcomes are fair and equitable, not prejudicial? Very few will ultimately be Olympic champions. But everyone has an equal chance to try.
Some will argue that comparing the Final Five to society in general is limited in scope and unfair in addressing the overriding issues that appear to contribute to poverty in America. Others will argue that the system does a pretty good job of identifying and rescuing children in need of early childhood services. But at the least, none can deny that history is replete with individuals, challenged in their circumstances, who have achieved great personal development and excellence despite conditions or a prejudicial culture. Examples for definitive role models who have overcome adversity are prevalent and generational.
Pursuit of success breeds character. Character will identify one with other persons of purpose. Once an individual is part of a group of people of like-minded principles, the critical mass of support is realized. The Final Five were not after individual glory. They truly were there in support of each other. They rooted each other on to victory. They knew each other’s personal story and embraced it. They wanted the best for each other’s individual pursuits. In caring for one another as a team, they inspire others to follow their own dreams.
What then is the difference between those who sacrifice for the greater good versus those who lash out and blame the system? Those who trust in the overall munificence of human nature, even in the face of obvious prejudice, are those who strive for the best that they can possibly be. They are those who pull from an inner strength. They are those who nourish an inherent confidence that to pursue a cause greater than themselves is for the good of all those with whom they come in contact.
It is those who in the reality of all they see wrong with the world can take to heart the simple admonishment – ‘get an education, stay away from the boys, and do good.’
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?