In an age in which political divisions are deep and wide, common ground is difficult to find, and compromise has become a dirty word, decent people everywhere should be able to agree on a few basic things. Here are two:
That police shootings of black men in recent years, such as this week in Louisiana and Minnesota, are cause for grave concern and serious investigation, and that the killing of any innocent black man by law enforcement officers is a tragedy.
And that taking revenge on police officers, as was done in a horrific shooting spree Thursday in Texas, is totally unjustifiable. With five dead and seven wounded, it was the deadliest attack on law enforcement officers in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001.
Words don’t seem to be enough in the aftermath of this week of death — of Alton Sterling outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge; of Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop in suburban St. Paul; and of five law enforcement officers, targeted by a sniper during a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas.
But we all should take a minute to absorb a statement made just up the road from Bloomington on Friday by a collection of black organizations based in Indianapolis. It speaks to the need to recognize all the tragedies and to work together to mend disagreements and address issues, for the sake of all.
The statement reads: “We invite the city of Indianapolis to allow their hearts to break with ours over the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and Dallas police officers murdered and injured in the line of duty at a rally. These incidents occurred as the nation reeled from the senseless murder of members of the LGBT community in Orlando. There have been over 100 police action shootings of Black men across the country this year alone prompting outrage but seemingly no justice. It is through tears and frustration, a reverence for the dead, and respect for the impact on the families of the victims and the officers involved that we seek to affirm our aspirations toward healthy and continuously improving police and community relations.
“We mourn for the loss of life of citizens who mattered to their communities, families and friends. Their lives mattered. Black lives matter. We recognize that the police have a difficult job to do and that the majority serve the community well. Police officers are our neighbors, customers, friends and family members. It is moments like these that it is most important to remember that the police are the community and that policing should affirm the values of the community — which must include a respect for the dignity of all citizens.
“We remain mindful of the mistreatment of a youth in Indianapolis by a police officer. We also remain mindful of the need to break the code of silence when law enforcement seeks justice for victims of crime. The work of building and maintaining healthy police and community relations continues. The dignity of all members of the community is sacred and when violated we should be able to count on a justice system that works for all. Too often, it seems that this has not been the case — which is why our struggle for justice and equity for all continues. We ask that our friends, neighbors and colleagues of all races mourn with us and engage in a dialog on the way forward. ...”
More violence is not the way forward. It must be condemned by all, such as the groups in Indianapolis, as issues dividing our nation continue to fester. Maybe, if we’re fortunate, this week of sorrow will be a tipping point toward pulling back together.