My thought for today has nothing to do with quilting but perhaps it does??
The past weekend, has been another weekend of demonstrators and violence is my hometown/city. I was born and raised in, what is now being called, one of the most dangerous cities in America. St. Louis, Missouri. I no longer live in St. Louis, but 45 minutes from the City. I was raised in what was called Northwest St. Louis County. But, my family has roots in St. Louis City. St Louis was and still is a great place to work and play. Many things to enjoy in the City, restaurants, the arts, sporting events, museums for young and old, world-famous Zoo, and many parks including Forest Park. I could go on and on. But this past weekend all that stopped. The protesters wanted to shut down the City and they did. I only recall a few events that continued their plan activities. U2 cancelled their concert, which was big for the people who traveled miles to see the musical group. Anyway, peaceful demonstrations turned to violence Saturday night. My question: Why?? I understand there is disappointment over the verdict handed down Friday concerning a police involved killing. But, why destroy your hometown? The lively hood of so many is affected when violence against businesses becomes the target.
I believe in peaceful demonstrations, our constitutional right. But, it seems when the sun goes down the peaceful demonstrators go home and a new group comes out to cause damage. They were not part of the planned demonstrations. They are people who take advantage of the current tide for personal gain. The high from destruction or financial gain from looting. The statistics in St. Louis are awful when it comes to murder victims. 117-African American, 0-Asian, 1-Hispanic and 7-White. Murder suspects include, 96-African American, 0-Asian, 0-Hispanic and 0-White (source Elliott Davis Fox 2 News). The innocent people being shot by stray bullets are climbing and many are children. The community has to take a stand. People have to speak up and help the police, to stop this violence.
My thought for today has nothing to do with quilting but perhaps it does? A quilt is made up of many pieces--like a community. Joined together by a common thread. Members of the communities where most of the violence has been happening this year and past years, must be that thread. Only they can put an end to the violence in the city. I understand their fear of retaliation, but that is paralyzing not only St. Louis, but their personal well being. We all must work together to make a strong community that protects its people---young, old, black, white. The police departments all over the country and here in St. Louis are working to improve their policing--learning from the past. The communities all over the country need to help them. We need to all make a quilt with a common thread of concern for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Happy Quilting!
