Shootings: Healing mutual distrust is a big job

The tragedy that unfolded in Dallas last week is not a competing tragedy with the recurring deaths of mostly black men killed by mostly white police officers. It is a part of the same tragedy. It is a tragedy of two races distrusting, disrespecting, and profiling one another, with members of each judging the whole of the other based on the actions of a few.

The original sin cannot be undone. Forgiven or unforgiven, it can only be moved past. Only when America mourns equally for the lives lost on both sides of this tragedy will it begin to stitch the wound that continues to rip open with each violent incident. And until we do the deliberate work of stitching, the natural process of healing cannot begin.

We must all be doctors today. Our needle and suture must be empathy and respect for one another.

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Shootings: Healing mutual distrust is a big job."