Racism - Crossing Swords

     In nearby Ferguson , Missouri, an agonizing moment in the course of a  normal August day spurred an aftermath of turmoil and speculation. The facts? A policeman shot Michael Brown in the street...18 year old Michael was unarmed...policeman was white and Michael was black. The possibilities? Michael had his hands up in surrender and was murdered...policeman feared for his life as 6'4" 300 pound Michael advanced toward him..Michael had assaulted policeman inside the squad car moments earlier..Michael had committed strong-arm theft previously in the same day. While tending to believe that the officer did not shoot a man who posed no threat, I do not presume to judge what happened at the scene - that is the responsibility of the court system, and everything I know has been gleaned from local media (which is to say it has been persistently twisted, sensationalized and inciting).

     However, I have seen the protesting, rioting and looting and heard the accusations of racial inequality that is disturbing on so many levels. As these events have unfolded in the last few weeks, many friends and I have appraised our own neighborhood, city, workplace, shopping and dining venues, concentrating on racial relations. Our joint conclusion remains as constant now as before the Ferguson incident. With a few exceptions, people are friendly and courteous, even the teenagers. All seem to be treated with respect and it is evident that people of all colors can be employed at entry level positions and/or hold occupations which demand higher learning, ie: teachers, doctors, dentists, business owners, policemen, etc., We are proud of our (the adjacent cities of Florissant, Ferguson and Hazelwood) diversity and our willingness to embrace it. Those of us who did not take part in the "white flight" take umbrage in the accusations that we live in the "ghetto". The group that is protesting (and being incited by nationally known civil rights activists) is NOT representative of the general population. Therefore it is painful to see national and even world-wide news reports that paint our areas with a broad brush as "racist" when in fact, we are anything but.