There is no single way forward, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words still guide us

It is tragic every time we witness yet another exploitation or injustice at the expense of the Black community. We have spent much attention identifying problems that continue to cripple Black and other marginalized people in America. It is time we seek solutions.

We must rise above our myopic view of various cultures and ethnic groups to seek understanding of each other’s worldview, and how ethnicity has shaped those worldviews. Sympathy and compassion must lay the groundwork for this dialogue of understanding.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke often of community being based on reconciliation, friendship and human dignity. Decades later, we must read his words and recommit ourselves to putting them into action.

We must not tolerate any form of injustice or discrimination in America. One’s knowledge base, or lack thereof, does not exclude someone from the responsibility always to act ethically. We must expect this above all from the men and women who serve in law enforcement.

We must acknowledge that policing has historically been a system that oppresses people in the minority. Throughout our history, we have seen policing without conscience. This form of rule is a direct reflection of police leadership.

There is not a one-step solution that will fix our law enforcement system, because the issues we see today are deeply rooted in the history of our state and in our local police personnel’s belief systems. A legacy of unjust assumptions among former leaders who have policed our city has laid the groundwork for the flawed policy we see today. Historically, Black people have been perceived by many as thugs, menaces and rebels first and foremost, not as individuals on an equal footing with the rest of society.

It is imperative that we fight for equal economic rights. We need the tools to improve the conditions Black and marginalized communities live in. We must ensure they receive proper leadership that will guide them to educational opportunities and help them build and nurture businesses in their communities. We need selfless leaders to rise up and be empowered to solidify those communities and bring accountability to politicians, the court system and police departments.

Today, I am hopeful as we see many men and women of various ethnicities uniting for the sake of justice. Policies and policing must line up with ethical vantages. Yet for this to happen, leadership will have to adapt and change.

I yearn for the day when everyone in this country will live out King’s dream and “they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. “

Timothy Shockley Jr. is a retired professional athlete and founder of Dream Muscle Coffee in Kansas City.