The fact is that superficial talk, assumptions framed as gospel, and blaming vs. getting to the bottom of behavioral precipitants are no substitute for communicating with each other -- cops, business people, parents, teachers, kids, clergy, local officials, community opinion leaders. (Attorney General Loretta Lynch made a good start.) Key questions need to be asked: "What are the biggest obstacles to change? How can we work together to overcome them? Where are we getting it wrong? What do YOU need to feel you have a chance at life? How can we get there together? What are top priorities and how should we begin to approach them? When should we talk again about how we're doing?"
That approach is labor-intensive and costly in both human and financial terms. It requires a deep commitment to getting things right and seeing things through, no matter how challenging. It means compromising and yielding ego. It means learning to trust others, no matter where they come from or what credentials they hold, or lack. It's never easy but it is always worthwhile.
Wes Moore, a Black Baltimore resident, retired veteran, and author appearing on Meet the Press said, "People need to think you care before they care what you think. Everyone needs to feel safe. It's a matter of human intelligence."
His statement seems like a fine place to start talking before translating words into action.
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