Introduction

An editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal described their response too the violence and vandalism that impact many urban areas this weekend. Despite extensive newspaper and television coverage, I remain in a quandary whether the term peaceful protests or anarchy reflects the discord in so many American communities.

From my perspective, I am discouraged that some 60 days after the murder of George Floyd, I do not feel that the message of the protesters has articulated either the problem or realistic solutions. Instead over and over again I hear the following: “America was founded in original sin. While some Black Americans have enjoyed success since the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights Act, institutional racism has fatally undermined the Black Community. America’s judicial system has incarcerated Blacks disproportionately. Black opportunity for upward mobility is stifled by living in segregated housing.”

Originally published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune