Dem win vital for race relations

A recent Friends Committee on National Legislation news release (July 9) had it right: “…Generations of racist laws — from slavery, to Jim Crow, to mass incarceration — constructed a system of oppression and control over black people. That system is part of how police killing of black men in routine traffic stops is part of our reality.”

Contrary to Republican spin, the Black Lives Matter movement has been a welcome response to the “system of oppression and control over black people” cited above by the Quaker lobbying group.

The above cited news release also correctly noted that lack of regulation of guns likely made it easier for someone to acquire a gun to kill police officers, and that background checks, assault weapons bans, and limits on ammunition could all help prevent gun deaths.

Donald Trump may say he is not a racist but his irresponsible refusal to acknowledge our history fuels the flames of racism and bigotry. Victory for Hillary Clinton and other Democrats on election day is vital for improved race relations.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Dem win vital for race relations."