Regarding the recent op-ed article in the L.A. Times [Aug. 20] from La Cañada Flintridge resident Brian Williams (no relation), my heart breaks for him and his wife witnessing (what could have been) another horrible race-related tragedy.
But everything about this encounter was caught on security camera tape, even the actual words spoken from the white man to their black son. However, even with the tape and audio, we are reminded how much interpretation and assuming of motivations we get away with. Like Einstein reminded us, two people looking at exactly the same event can, truthfully, be looking at two very different events. Of course, that truth doesn’t nullify or minimize the very real fear we feel or worst-case scenario our mind can create.
I will continue to pray for all my neighbors, near and far, who worry about the safety of their sons and daughters — which includes me with two older daughters and 3-year-old granddaughter. My hope is our community can do better with our churches leading the way. Several in this town, as well as surrounding cities, have created committees, task forces, steering teams, and small groups to spread love and ethnic harmony. We have wonderful Korean, Armenian, Black, White, Arabic and Hispanic neighbors a handshake or hug away.
We can do better.
Mark Williams
La Cañada Flintridge
First published in the August 31 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
