The events in Charlottesville, Virginia are another reminder to all of us that racism still exists in many areas of the United States.  Yes, even our own.

            As friends and family mourn those who died as part of the Charlottesville events, too many people are focused on blame instead of the actual actions over the weekend and the results.  And, more important, what to do about it.

            There is a person, James Fields, who is accused of driving the vehicle into the crowd that killed Heather Heyer and hurt 19 others.  According to reports, and his own social media account, he harbors white supremacist beliefs.  If he was the person behind the wheel, then that is who to blame.  The rest are all symptoms that led to the tragic event.

            White supremacy, and all of the groups and people that espouse it, keep racism alive in the United States.  People who turn their backs on, and ignore all forms of racism, keep it alive too.

            Many people think that taking a statue down will erase racism.  It won't.  People, by their thoughts and actions, will.  Elected officials, by enacting common sense laws, will.

            But, those common sense laws will need to walk a fine line and be careful not to violate the First Amendment to the Constitution.  Not an easy task.

            The people have a right to peacefully protest.  The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is quite clear on that; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

            Peaceful protest, yes – not violent confrontation. 

            It brings up the cause-and-affect rule of the playground: who threw the first punch? 

            In the case of violence that causes death and injury there is still, death and injury.

            Community leaders often call for a conversation on racism.  There have been many such conversations all across the country, and racism still exists.

            There is a need for action.  Violence is not the action needed.  Follow-up on those conversations with plans and ideas for positive actions to unite the people – all the people.

            Sounds impossible, but if somehow we can get more people to come into the diversity, tolerance, and understanding camps, perhaps they will be the ones to show the haters, by example, how not to hate.

            The United States is better and stronger when we are united and not divided.