‘Shame and confusion’

These past days have filled me with shame and confusion. I am so very ashamed of all of the rioters who are now representing us worldwide. I truly don’t understand it.

Please don’t jump on my opinions since I am not political, have lived and worked in San Francisco and Oakland so I have some experience living with cultures other than the ones we have in our small town.

I am bewildered by the desire and need of some of the people to destroy property and to loot ... what exactly does it get them? I’ve been watching the news and it seems they are so joyful and happy to be doing those things. Where is the compassion for the Floyd family? Have they ever given a thought to why these protests are being held?

I have so many words whirling around in my head and it makes me wonder why none of these destructive people seem to know or live by any of them. For instance, respect is defined as due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others.

Integrity is defined as adherence to moral and ethical principles.

Dignity comes to mind and is defined as the moral basis of our SHARED humanity.

And what about empathy which is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing.

I’m in my eighties so I remember Watts (1965), Detroit (1967), Martin Luther King (1968) and Rodney King (1992) and now we have another year of violence to mark on our history calendars when we should be supporting the peaceful protesters or, better yet, encouraging them to get out and vote in city, county, state and federal elections. Make a change. The crowds that the peaceful protesters are speaking to are likeminded and they are not reaching large numbers.

I thank them for their passion and purpose but it isn’t working. Think about using these strengths for change in your own communities. You can make your voice heard.