Dear Editor:

I have been trying to find the words that I’ve been feeling for a week. I have failed in coming up with only a word, so now I have found two: rage and pain.

Without rage and pain, there is no artistry.

Without rage and pain, there is no poetry.

Without rage and pain, there is no voice.

Without rage and pain, there is no science.

Without rage and pain, there is no community.

Without rage and pain, there is no creation.

Without rage and pain, there is no forgiveness.

Without rage and pain, there is no solidarity.

Without rage and pain, there is no unity.

Without rage and pain, there is no humanity.

Without rage and pain, there is no peace.

Without rage and pain, there is no change.

Without rage and pain, there is no justice.

Without rage and pain, there is no equality.

I don’t know what else I can add, but there are forces at work that are trying to continue the destruction of our society, by means of false identity and blame.

I was born the year after 1968. There has never been equality in my lifetime. In my children’s lifetime, war has always been in existence.

I want every child to know peace. I want to know that I have been part of the message of change. Driving division is not the right message or method to bring equality. The selfishness, on so many fronts, must stop.

Ask yourself if you are part of the problem or the solution to heal our nation. I know I ask myself that question each and every day while I pray for the peace we all so desperately need right now.

Justine Larsen

Powell