Looking Again at the Way We Relate

“We can get along.” Rodney King is right. We can all get along; however, first a few minor changes must occur in the way we think about each other, the way we interact with each other. Most important, how much are we willing to change our priorities? For too long this country has been in some kind of Cold War mentality. Us against them. White against brown. Me against you. Panama, Iraq, Watts. Things and people we don’t understand. We destroy and kill. Our leaders tell us there is not enough money to keep some schools, parks and libraries open. Yet there is plenty of money for Star Wars, nuclear testing, and keeping troops in Europe and Japan.

The time for change is now. We can start by electing new leaders. In Washington, Sacramento and Los Angeles. We must also change the way we feel about others. Rodney King is my brother. “Football” Williams is my brother. Even Chief Gates is my brother. When we all truly feel that an injury to one brother is an injury to all brothers, then Rodney will be right. We will get along.

TOM DAWSON

San Pedro