I’m hesitant to even write this article because there doesn’t seem to be any winning. Tragedy strikes and people are eager to pick a side and claim their loyalty toward one extreme or the other.

What started as a peaceful protest in the heart of Dallas,Texas ended with becoming one of the worst police shootings since 9/11. Officers were killed, many were injured, families left in a state of sadness and disbelief and the nation experiencing distress and shock like no other. Many hearts are broken for all those effected. There’s no disputing this world-changing tragedy. We can’t go and turn back time, but we can re-evaluate the way people choose to release their anger and discontent. Growing up, we’re taught violence is never the answer. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi took stands during their times and rose to greatness. In today’s society people seem to have disagreements with others or don’t like what they are seeing and so they just shoot. They resort to violence thinking there are no other options. I don’t believe that all police officers are corrupt or influenced by racism. I don’t believe that all citizens, regardless of their race, cooperate safely when interacting with law enforcement. One thing I do believe though, is that hate and anger do not solve anything.

So, let me ask you something, what ever happened to the Peacekeepers? I'm talking about the ones that surface when tragedy arises. It’s up to the current generation to stop the violence, but is that likely to happen? We live in the age of social media, technology and a bit of conceitedness. The current generation seems to care more about what they look like and their social media presence than all those around them. Has it occurred to anyone that maybe putting down the technology and talking face to face with those around them could actually prevent some of the future tragedies. Put down your phone, talk and more importantly listen; you may be surprised by what you hear. Everyone has a voice. Use it. Don’t rely on guns or firearms. People seem to think ending the lives of those that supposedly cause “problems” will be at everyone’s best interest, but in all actuality two wrongs don’t make a right. The pull of a trigger can change lives forever.

We should grieve for and love both parties involved. The division between backgrounds, cultures and ideas should not be growing, it should be shrinking or closing. The issue is how can it close with fear and the continued bloodshed in the streets?

What ever happened to the golden rule? Treating others, the way you want to be treated; let’s think about that ... if everyone was treated the way you want to be treated, would these tragedies still strike? If a disagreement were to spark, would you want your own situations to be handled the way these are? Is there anything in this world truly worth losing your life over, or even taking someone else’s?

People all across the nation should feel sick and saddened by the racism and hate in our imperfect world. Now, more than ever, should be the time where people come together and love each other, grieving for all of the lives lost.

If we don’t come together, then a famous quote shall ring true, “if you don’t accept your history, you’re doomed to repeat it.” As one of the men from the televised prayer services said today, “reach out, it doesn’t matter whose hand you grasp.” Once again, this all comes back to what ever happened to the peacekeepers? If you can’t find one, become one.

Just some food for thought in this time of need. My heart goes out to everybody. I reach out my hand to you.