In wake of Dallas tragedy, words of hope can help build a more united America

What words do you want to hear today?

Many Americans are distraught after five Dallas police officers were killed Thursday, which followed the deaths of two black men at the hands of police in separate incidents earlier in the week.

Those events are leading to words of despair.

“Every corner of our land is in the grip of terror,” said Archbishop Blase Cupich in Chicago.

Others are speaking words of blind hatred.

They are lashing out at President, Barack Obama. They are nonsensically labeling Black Lives Matter a “terrorist group,” after the Dallas shootings occurred during a peaceful march it organized.

But something else exists in this topsy-turvy world.

Words of hope.

And they need to be repeated, emphasized and truly heard.

Greg Abbott, the bombastic, pro-NRA governor of Texas, offered some of the best in an “Open letter to Texans.”

“Every life matters. With each innocent life lost, we lose more of our humanity. It is time for us to unite as Texans, as Americans, to say no more. … No more will we allow the evil of hate merchants to tear us apart. … I have faith in the goodness of Texas, of America. For in the end, evil always fails.”

The days ahead offer tough challenges that can be overcome.

Congress can discuss serious gun control reform.

Police departments can improve their relations with minority communities.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton can mount less-divisive campaigns.

The current feelings of sadness, even pessimism, are understandable.

But listen to the words of hope. Act on them. They offer the building blocks for a more united America.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "In wake of Dallas tragedy, words of hope can help build a more united America."