Three Truths

"Atticus-" said Jem bleakly.
He turned in the doorway. "What, son?"
"How could they do it, how could they?"
"I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep. Good night."

                                                           -To Kill A Mockingbird

When I saw this excerpt making the rounds in regards to the activity in Ferguson, I felt it to be the most profound of all passages. Unlike Jem who was completely blameless, Michael Brown was not. The young man made some extremely poor decisions and those led to his untimely and most unfortunate demise.
But what struck me was that the same themes of a book published 54 years ago about a story occurring 78 years ago, are still very much prevalent in this particular situation.
The more I have read, listened, examined, and studied the details that have been released in regards to this horrific ordeal, I am concerned.
I am concerned by the system of checks and balances.
I am concerned by the intense racial divide that still exists.
I am concerned that both social and professional media are so quick to speak of unfounded truths. That they would so willingly fan the flames of  "supposed reports" to sensationalize a tragedy in return for views, hits, attention, and ratings.
I cannot imagine the weight of the blue uniform of those who pledge to protect and serve no more than I can imagine the burden of the stigma placed upon black males.
There are only two people that will ever know the accurate events of that day. One will live with his actions, while the other will rest with his.
This incident has left me with more questions than answers but the only things that I do know is that 1) Not all African-Americans are criminals. 2) Not all cops are bad. 3) Not all whites are racist.
And it is in those three truths that I find hope.