A grandmother’s letter for today’s world

encounter the same types of obstacles? It is impossible for me to imagine what it would be like to grow up in a world where someone’s preconceived opinion of me as a human being is determined by the color of my skin. Growing up in an all white neighborhood, I never encountered that way of thinking. Just the thought that any of my grandchildren would be subject to that type of scrutiny scares me on a level I never thought possible.

As I watch the current news broadcasts, I worry about all of my grandchildren and wonder: what kind of world are they going to grow up in? Are they going to be judged by the love in their hearts or by the color of their skin? Whether we want to admit it or not, systemic racism lives among us like a cancer. It is the original sin of our great nation. The ghost in the room. And as much as it pains me to say it, this cancer is growing among our police officers, the very people who have sworn to serve and protect us. The question is how much longer will this go on? And how is it that after 400 years, we are still asking this question?

It is apparent from the recent deaths of unarmed African Americans at the hands of police that police reform is very much needed. But while I do see the need for reform, I do not believe that defunding the police is the answer since this would affect the morale of our officers, and will only make a bad situation worse. The legislation that is now working its way through Congress includes proposals for a ban on choke holds and a national registry for police complaints. This is a start, but it is only a start.

There is so much more to do, such as improvements in police training, including how to de-escalate a high intensity situation safely.

The recent situation in Atlanta would have benefited from a calmer approach than what transpired. Let us hope that our elected officials continue on this much needed legislative path to help heal this cancer within us, so that tomorrow we will not wake up to another senseless lost life.

And then, maybe, someday, we will learn to look at all people equally. Children are born indifferent to skin color. Let us learn to see each other through the eyes of our children.

Marilyn Waterbury, Wallingford