Today is June 19 – Juneteenth – a date often overlooked and traditionally not widely celebrated nor recognized for its historical significance. 

Recent social unrest however, has caused a collective awakening of sorts. This awakening has given way to a reckoning over the insidious nature of racism. From this reckoning will come necessary changes in how we deal with one another as human beings, and all of this will be good.

Permit me a personal word this Friday afternoon about what is happening in our beloved country.

The images we have seen over the past 10 days have been horrific. It is appalling to watch acts of violence being committed, whether by private individuals or by the officials whom we charge to serve and protect us. It almost is more than one can bear. One is tempted to simply turn away, to say that’s not us, that’s not who we are. Can’t we just arrest and punish the wrongdoers, and move on?