Choosing Peace

The verdict in the Jason Van Dyke trial will be viewed through the lens each person brings, yet some have speculated that any verdict will produce an explosive reaction. This would be a repudiation of Laquan McDonald’s family’s plea for nonviolence. 

Let us listen to their voice and decide to pray and not strike out. To extend our hands in friendship, not in hate. To gather in our mutual pain and ask the Lord and each other for the balm of tolerance and love.

If we choose peace, heart by heart, house by house, block by block we will show our children and the world that hate has no place in Chicago. Let this be remembered as a turning point – when peace prevailed. Then as Dr. King said, “we will emerge from the bleak and desolate midnight of 'man's inhumanity to man' into the bright daybreak of freedom and justice."