Editor,
According to the Macpherson report, institutional racism is “the collective failure of an organization to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their color, culture or ethnic origin, which can be seen or detected in processes; attitudes and behavior which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping that disadvantages minority ethnic people.”
Whether one believes that institutional racism is real or not, there has long been a perception in so-called minority communities throughout the United States that the various police departments are ready to kill them on the flimsiest pretext. As of this writing, Ferguson, Missouri prepares for a possible race riot if police officer Darren Wilson is not indicted in the killing of black youth Michael Brown.
Whatever the outcome of this situation, it remains an unfortunate reality that some Americans perceive each other to be mortal enemies simply because of the color of their skin.
Martin Luther King Jr. was famous for saying, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Unfortunately, it would seem that the unfolding saga in Ferguson is, if nothing else, a stark reminder that this nation has not reached that day that Dr. King looked forward to.
Unnecessary violence on the side of the protestors will not solve anything, and unnecessary violence on the part of the Missouri state government will not solve anything. It is time for the people of this nation to stop letting themselves be divided by their differences and to unite on peace, love and justice for everyone.
Sincerely,
Muhajir Romero
Daily Lobo reader
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