REGARDING the killing of George Floyd. We are all to a large degree moulded by influences in our formative years, coupled with our own experiences as we grow to maturity.
The white police who killed George are the product of the influences they were subject to with prejudices built into their persona from a very early age.
The depressing fact is that the American Civil War in the 1800s was supposed to be the beginning of equal rights. Just how long is it going to take?
We are all of us locally, nationally and internationally obliged to learn from history but we must not be dragged down by it.
There was a time when witches were burned at the stake. I can remember when left handed people were, to a degree, ostracised but we have learned and moved on.
Likewise, great men of yesteryear were moulded by influencers of their time and cannot be held to account by today’s standards.
Mass vandalism of statues, looting and burning is not the answer.
I hope in the fullness of time George’s killers are locked up for life.
Harold Mackenley, Bishop Auckland
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