Letters to the Editor

For complicated problems, family is first step to solution

I am a concerned yet cautious individual who, like you, has witnessed the senseless and endless violence of the streets and neighborhoods of not only Boston, but across the nation.

I have seen many mothers cry, filled with the anguish of the loss of their children. I have stood by watching friends and family who had to bury their young, and seen them helpless and saddened with the combined grief of loss and hopelessness. I have seen the actions and heard the language of our youth riddled with references to violence and disrespect for others. I too have been on the receiving end of injustice at the hand of the law enforcement individuals who overstepped the legal and moral limitations of humanity.

Despite all these things that I know and have experienced, I don’t have a ready answer to the horrific plight with which we must deal as people of color. However, I do believe it does start in the homes of our people — perhaps not with a legal official, but with the homeowner. I am talking about parents and other nuclear family members. We cannot expect anyone to have the patience, compassion and empathy for our children that we will.

Given the authority that the Good Lord has placed in our hands by virtue of the charge as family members of these young people, we must stand up for ourselves and to our children. We cannot allow them to keep us in fear of the loss of their love when we are fighting for their lives. We must let the truth that the love of the Almighty, His grace and His mercy for us can and will abide in us and in our homes when we live according to His creeds for justice. Those laws are taught in the houses of worship throughout our communities. Choose any one of them and you will find peace, wisdom and good judgment concerning all affairs of this world.

Armed with the Spirit, we can approach our children, our lawmakers and ourselves honestly, surely, and wisely, to make a decision and determination on the managing of our communities. Yes, we must do something immediately. Trust your intuition and conscience; those small voices arise from the Most High. He will tell you which way to go, whether it be to search your children yourselves, petition government and vote for new gun laws throughout the land, elect officials that have your best interests in mind, heed the advice of trusted community lawyers, seek medical and social help for troubled youth, find solace in family and true friends, talk to your Father just as you please, or all of the above.

We will be just fine if we stick together and search for an answer together, as family, friends, law officials, clergy, community.