More than once in the past several days, I’ve opened my mouth to say something profound, but stopped short, realizing that words aren’t enough.
There simply are no words to describe the occurrences of the past week in Minneapolis and their ripple effect statewide and now in cities across the nation.
There are no words to explain why a police officer would lean on the neck of an already handcuffed and unarmed man.
There are no words to describe the sickening realization that the victim was yet another person of color dying at the hands of a white officer.
… at a time when an ever-growing disadvantaged population is becoming increasingly outraged by injustice and despair.
There are no words.
There are no words to make sense of the looting and destruction of properties and businesses … in the name of restoring social injustice, of all things.
It’s beyond all human decency and logic, and certainly beyond words to explain it.
There are no words to describe the middle-of-the night scramble in homes across outstate Minnesota when State Troopers from all districts were ordered to help.
“Which agency will you assist?” I helped my husband pack his bags at 3:30 a.m.
“I don’t know.”
“What will be your role?”
“I don’t know.”
“Whom will you answer to?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where will you stay?”
“I don’t know.”
I was fearful … but tried to keep perspective. When the squad left the driveway, my thoughts turned to Mom in 1964 when she bid farewell to her groom, drafted into the unknown jungles of Vietnam.
There are no words to describe the sobering realization that all these peace officers were still not enough to contain the urban rage, which required a historic mobilization of the full Minnesota National Guard.
… which required more loved ones in uniform to dispatch to a situation that was rapidly resembling a war zone.
There are no words to quiet angry voices, soothe troubled souls and heal grieving spirits.
There are no words, despite an endless social media feed of opinions. Words aren’t enough.
At times like this, it might be prudent to remember actions speak louder than words.
… actions like Twin Cities residents immediately picking up garbage, scrubbing off graffiti and mobilizing to rebuild torched neighborhoods.
… actions like Good Samaritans offering bottled water and snacks to officers on their feet for hours at a time in the heat of the day to protect their safety and property.
There are no words to adequately prepare our graduating seniors for a world that appears to be falling apart.
It’s a good thing our LHS Class of 2020 were equipped with the words from their senior class motto:
“I cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that I can do.”