June 16, 2020: Follow Chicago teens' example

Friends,

The closing segment of nearly every broadcast of the National Nightly News features a short, feel good story intentionally placed to erase the 28 minutes of hate, opinion and agenda we were just fed. Recently these stories have focused on race relationships and featured black and white adults that have forged lifelong friendships, marriages, businesses and organizations albeit having to endure criticisms and even violence because of their choice to ignore the color of skin.

Last week, a segment featured two teens, one black, one white from Chicago who have decided to be change agents for racism by purposefully walking together through the most volatile of neighborhoods, both poor and wealthy, to demonstrate that it can be done, blacks and whites CAN exist with one another.

MCI's racial balance is split 50/50 for the most part, each housing unit has a board that shows the number of blacks, white and others clearly displayed. Great measures are taken to keep the balance equal, even going as far to move inmates to different locks to maintain the ratio.

One of my closest associates is a different shade than I. We act as advisor, accountability coach and friend to the other. We both have heard unsavory remarks as we walk and converse down the halls, and during activities. We ignore the comments and walk with our heads high, hoping to set the example for others.

If two teens from Chicago and two prisoners in Ohio can see past the differences, why can't you? Look at the person, not their skin color.

Follow the example of the Chicago teens...

Relatable Song of the Week - Come Tomorrow, Dave Matthews Band.