Editorial

Both traditional and social media platforms are awash recently with stories of people performing random acts of kindness for law enforcement officers around the country. Especially in light of recent events, such displays are completely appropriate and, we expect, greatly appreciated by the men and women in blue on the receiving end of unexpected and kind gestures.

We have also seen stories of opposing groups of protestors meeting in the middle of the streets to meet, hug and seek solidarity in these most troubling of times. It is not surprising, really. Americans, when pushed to the brink by tragedy, have always stood shoulder to shoulder in times of crisis.

This apparent coming together could not be happening at a more important or crucial time. This past Tuesday another police officer, this time in Kansas City, was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a report of shots fired. This came the day after a black man, one who was sitting on the ground with his hands in the air and reportedly not in possession of a gun, was inexplicably shot by a police officer in Miami.

Tension is running understandably high, patience is starting to wear thin, and no one seems to have any answers.

Whatever ways we can find to be kind to one another, whether in a prayer vigil at a local police station or merely sharing a smile with someone you don’t know as you pass them on the street, this community, this nation, this world, needs as much kindness right now as we can possibly muster.

There’s never a bad time for showing kindness. But it’s hard to imagine there could be a much better one than right now, either.