Racist injustice demands response

By Bret Nilles

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I was troubled by what Bill Strilich wrote in an April 20 guest column titled “Racism evident on all sides.”

Unfortunately, Mr. Strilich doesn't understand the basic reason why Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Jeremiah Wright are often in the position they are in terms of trying to capture the American public's attention by using stern language. Racism still exists in this country, as much as Strilich may deny it.

These spokesmen are not trying to declare one segment of the population more important than our nation itself; they are speaking for justice for all. They want this basic right, not just for people of color, but to enhance all of our liberties. This is not brain-washing, but a need to speak out when injustice exists.

The voices being raised about the killing of Trayvon Martin are rising because of how this case has been handled. It is shameful that it took the protests of millions of people before the arrest and charge of the accused after something obviously wrong occurred. It will be up to a jury to determine his innocence or guilt, but it's wrong to let someone simply walk away from the shooting of an innocent unarmed teenager. The issue was that this shooting was not even being considered or investigated as a crime in part because of the race of the victim.

Strilich seems to have forgotten that the United States has struggled for ages with racism, starting with slavery, the Civil War, the struggle for civil rights and voting rights, and the beatings of Emmett Till and Rodney King as just a few examples.

I don't think our image overseas is being distorted by recent events and what is being said by a few spokesmen from the African American community. Our image will be determined by how we respond to this issue.

There also seems to be confusion on Strilich's part in comparing the alleged shootings by Maj. Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood and the shootings of innocent Afghanistan citizens allegedly by Staff Sgt. Robert Bales. These tragic events are the results of a war that is lasting too long and with too many victims. In both of these cases, the perpetrator was immediately seized and is awaiting a court hearing. Some sort of justice will occur. Citizens of Afghanistan called for justice according to their laws and customs.

We have our own laws and customs, which include justice for all. It is not brain-washing for people to speak and strive for this basic right, no matter what the color of their skin.

Bret Nilles, a finance process manager for Rockwell Collins Inc., is a commissioner on the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Comments: banilles@rockwellcollins.com