Let’s work together to end violence

To the editor:

Regarding the Sept. 17 editorial 'Time to truly tackle violence”:

Yes, we have done a lot of marches and events and you say it's had no effect. Well, if you're expecting instant gratification, you won't see it.

The problems that are manifesting themselves in our neighborhoods, as well as, across the country, are the result of generations of problems that society has swept under the table. We need short-term and long-term solutions. The long-term solution is to get in these people lives and homes. Make it mandatory for solutions to be taught in schools and prisons. It is an overwhelming issue when we look at the big picture and honestly you might not see any progress at all for 10 or 20 years. But, I can promise you this. If we don't get something started now, just take a minute and imagine what the next generation will be like in 20 years.

And let me end on this note. We all need to get in this together. I have ideas but no resources so I urge any of you who truly care to come together and see what we can do. It's time to stop allowing the differences in skin color, background or religious beliefs to stop us from doing what we need to do.

David A. Phelps

Cedar Rapids