Friday, August 10, 2007

The Human Race

Once again, perusing the daily news cycle I found a thought that surprised me. By an article about Chauncey Bailey, the editor from San Fransisco who was gunned down in broad daylight, I was surprised at the direction the article went. First of all, I'm very sad for the family and community who have lost this man who seemed to sincerely be interested in their welfare. He was gutsy enough to write an article that was intent on unmasking organized crime, a feat that must be intimidating at the very least and terrifying at the worst. What surprised me is that the article addressed the tragedy of his murder as something that only the black community in S.F. should be awakened by. I appreciate that this man worked in the realm of bringing political might to the African American citizens of that city but wouldn't the point of this man's life be that everyone should work together to fix the ever worsening problem of violence everywhere? There was even a quote of a sign held by a protester: "stop black on black violence". What does that mean? black on black violence is worse than white on black, Asian on black, black on Asian? Why is it that STILL we see things from one side or another? People killing people is just wrong. In San Fransisco, Miami, or "Mayberry" respect for life shouldn't belong to people of one skin color or another, it is the responsibility of everyone.

There, I feel better now.

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