Speak the Truths
These are challenging times for the United States of America. The challenges we face are immense — COVID-19, racism — and they are exacerbated by the fact that we Americans are increasingly incapable of holding more than one truth in our heads at the same time. The truth is a complex thing, and only when we grasp its complexity will we have a shot at solving our problems — at making progress.
The truth is that like so many other African Americans, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer.
The truth is that his murder was an ugly manifestation of the anti-black racism that still plagues so many of our hearts and so many of our nation’s systems and structures.
The truth is that Mr. Floyd’s murder was heinous, that there are problems with policing in this country, and that the protests sparked by his murder were righteous, just, and patriotic.
The truth is that the looting, rioting, and destruction of private businesses that have followed many of these protests are unjust, wrongheaded actions which deserve condemnation and must end.
The truth is that racism has been and still is a problem in this country.
The truth is that black Americans were enslaved — treated as property — in this country for hundreds of years.
