THE FUTURE
CAN BE OURS

W. John Williamson

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6

DEMOCRAT

480-607-9726

Dear Friend,

The holiday season–Christmas, Hanukkah, and other observances–poses
challenges to any thinking person. We want to enjoy the holiday season,
while at the same time, we are aware of disturbing social and political
events in our country.

How do we celebrate with good cheer, giving presents and material things,
while we know that two police officers–Officers Rafael Ramos, age 40, and
Wenjian Liu, age 32–were gunned down in New York City on Saturday, Dec.
20, as they defenselessly sat in their patrol car in the Flatbush area of
Brooklyn? Officer Liu had been married only three months ago.

Here is a description of part of the aftermath of this tragedy: “Dr.
Jonathan Chang, who treats Officer Liu’s parents, emerged from the”
(Officer Liu’s) “house and said the officer’s widow was in bed,
inconsolable. The parents had not eaten yet, he added, and it was already
late in the afternoon. The officer’s father irons in a garment factory.
‘Completely distraught,’ Dr. Chang, 55, said in Mandarin. They repeated,
over and over, ‘My son is gone.'” (“In Brooklyn, the Lives of 2 Officers
Are Recalled as Their Deaths Are Mourned,” by Michael Wilson and Michael
Schwartz, New York Times, Dec. 21, 2014, www.nytimes.com).

The details of the life of the 28-year old killer, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, are
also tragic: “What exactly pushed Mr. Brinsley to fatally shoot two police
officers before shooting himself is not clear. But by Sunday evening,
several things had become obvious. He had an extensive history with the
police, having been arrested 20 times, mainly for petty things, crimes
ranging from stealing condoms from a Rite Aid in Ohio to shooting a stolen
gun in a public street in Georgia…He had also tried to hang himself a
year ago, the police said…By this year, Mr. Brinsley had become
isolated. He was estranged from his family.” (“New York Officers’ Killer
Adrift and Ill, Had Plan,” by Kim Barker and Al Baker, New York Times,
Dec. 21, 2014, www.nytimes.com).

I haven’t even touched on the tragic deaths of Michael Brown nor Eric
Garner. One question I would ask, however,–especially after the Staten
Island grand jury’s decision not to indict the officer who had used the
chokehold against Garner–is: What is the process whereby persons are
selected to be on a grand jury? Is the selection process unbiased and
fair-minded?

I think the way that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police
Commissioner William J. Bratton are handling the crisis is an example for
leaders around the country to follow. To wit: “Mr. Bratton stepped in
repeatedly to buttress his boss. ‘Do some officers not like this mayor?’
he said. ‘Guaranteed.’….He added, to laughter, that ‘amazingly, some
don’t’ like their commissioner, either.” (“De Blasio, With Bratton by
Side, Seeks Balance After 2 Killings,” by Matt Flegenheimer, New York
Times, Dec. 22, 2014, www.nytimes.com).

In essence, the Mayor and the Police Commissioner are collaborating to
problem-solve in a potentially volatile situation. They have set any
self-righteousness aside–if there ever was any–and are pragmatically
trying to find solutions to alleviate the tensions of the situation. This
is a style of leadership we need to see more in Congress and around our
nation: less self-righteousness and more pragmatism. Let’s get some
problems solved; let’s give some workable solutions to the people.

Despite these tragedies–and not to minimize them in any way–, I still
think people can be glad about the good things in their lives and take the
time to celebrate the religious aspects of the holidays, not to mention
the family events and the material characteristics of this time of year.
These events give us the positive energy to keep going so that we can
solve the staggering challenges our society faces. If we mourn as a
society for the injustices that have happened over the past few months,
then maybe as a society we can take collective responsibility for finding
ways to prevent them from happening again. It is imperative that we find
an answer to the following question: How can we facilitate equal and
respectful treatment of all races by our law enforcement personnel and
keep those same law enforcement people safe and respected in the process?

Our leaders have a daunting task and we, as citizens, must offer them our
reasoned and pragmatic support. Reconciliation involves
recognizing and admitting mistakes, forgiving, then moving on. We should
take a lesson from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission that
conducted investigations and hearings after the atrocities of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was both a pragmatic and idealistic leader who forgave
blatant wrongs by those who governed before him so that, during his tenure
as the first black president of South Africa, peace and harmony for all
South Africans could prevail.

As a nation, we need to be extroverted, looking outward internationally to
see how other countries have successfully confronted and solved this type
of crisis.

THE FUTURE CAN BE OURS when we seek reconciliation and embark upon the
steps that it requires. In the meanwhile, and as part of that process, I
believe it’s okay to enjoy opening and giving presents and being with
family and loved ones to observe the traditions of Hanukkah, Christmas,
Saturnalia, or whatever observance you follow. This is the season when joy
is allowed and, although, understandably, this might not be possible for
some of our fellow citizens this year, nonetheless, we should, I think,
give joy a chance and let it happen in our lives if fate gives us that
lucky opportunity.

Thank you for your time, and Season’s Greetings.

Sincerely,
John

W. John Williamson

Scottsdale, Arizona