What is there to write after a week like we’ve just had in the United States of America?

I tried hard to think of something else, but how can I possibly think about anything else and more importantly, what can I possibly contribute to the conversation?

Whether it’s been in personal discussion, on the radio, on TV, on Twitter, or (the most painful of all for me) Facebook, there is already so much being said.

I’ve been told that the police killed in Dallas were just reaping what police all across America have sowed.

I’ve been told that if black people like Philando Castile and Alto Sterling don’t want to get shot by police, they should obey the law.

I’ve been told that white people of America have an agenda to kill black people.

I’ve been told that the Black Lives Matter movement is a terrorist organization.

I’ve been told that white people are prejudiced and that I as a white person can’t help but contribute to the status quo of white privilege in America.

I’ve been told that since black people don’t care about black-on-black murder, they should shut up when police use excessive force that results in the death of a black person.

I’ve been told that white people are ignorant of, blind to, and don’t care about the oppression of black people in America.

I’ve been told that the President has an agenda to divide the country around issues of race.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

What can I possibly add to this?

What I see is a lot of black and white thinking about entire people groups…whether they be cops or protesters, democrats or republicans, black or white. What I know is that these people groups are made up of individuals that defy categorization and generalization…both towards the good of all and towards the destruction of all. What I believe is that continuing to divide us into thought categories by the color of our skin, our profession, or our spiritual and political beliefs will do little to help us come together as a species into a conversation of love and reconciliation.

I’m done writing, but here are some pictures of individuals that inspire me.  I love the last one especially, because it happened right here in Baltimore. If you have a moment, take a look, and I’ll catch you all next week.