In the twenty-year period from 1950 to 1970, the American automobile industry created a definition of success so narrow that only a select few were able to achieve it. In order to rise to the top, one had to conform to the unspoken rules of automobile society. Go to the right schools, get the right degrees, work up the ranks of the auto hierarchy. Have enough money buy the right clothes, attend the right social gatherings, and live in the right neighborhoods. The pressure to conform to a select mold of society was relentless.

Yet even before these requirements, certain unspoken rules about who could rise to power in this industry existed. A potential "auto prince" was definitely white, Anglo-Saxon, most likely Protestant, and had all of the right physical prerequisites. It didn't matter how hard an aspiring auto-man worked to rise to power— if they weren't white, they didn't even have a chance.

Dubbed "The Detroit Mind," this community placed cultural conformity on the highest pedestal and the automobile industry became so exclusive, close-minded, and conformist that it was completely ignorant of surrounding society.

The serious problem of racial division in America epitomized in this one community came to a head in the 1960's, as the glaring truth of the wide gap in opportunity primarily rooted in race could no longer be ignored. The crackling tension of that time resulted in landmark legislation against discrimination in our country.

So the conflict has been resolved, right? The attitudes of a community like "The Detroit Mind" long gone? The gap in opportunity filled? The severance of division healed?

I'd like to think that I grew up in a fairly diverse community. My classmates were of many races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. I had friends from around the world, who spoke many different languages. But if I really consider my life, here is the reality. I have grown up in a predominantly white community. The majority of people in my neighborhood are white. While my time in public school exposed me to diverse people of many races, religions, and cultures, truthfully they were still predominantly white schools. I now attend a 85%-white university of protestant Christian faith. My life experiences and my world view have been molded through the culture of "white America."

So what could I have to say about African-Americans being shot by police officers?

Honestly? Nothing. And I think that's a shame.

Oh I could have things to say. I could talk about the importance of respecting the police, how my parents raised me to respect authority, and how the Bible teaches us to honor government officials. I could spout the same stuff I've heard after every shooting in the last few years about how the victims "must have done something," how "they just can't be innocent," how they have bad reputations, how they were just asking for trouble. I could talk about how rioting and violence are not the answer, how people are just making it worse. I've heard it. I've heard it from people that I respect greatly. I've even thought it myself.

But really truly honestly, what do I really know? Because I don’t understand, I can’t get in the heads of my fellow citizens who are black and truly get their story and their life experiences and the things that have shaped their view of the world. I can’t say that I’ve honestly taken the time to respect, appreciate, and understand that world view.

It’s a lot easier to place blame where perhaps it shouldn’t be placed. There are so many questions. So many sides to the story. So much division. So much hate. Among the media's presentation, we lose the facts and trade them for bias and ignorance. We pick a side and we let it go. It's so easy to just let it slide by without taking the opportunity to invest in what’s really happening. Without investing in the people.

I don't know all the facts. I don't know all the answers. I can't tell you with 100% certainty who is right and who is wrong.

But I can say this. I am sorry for not understanding. I am sorry for not taking the time to appreciate where you are coming from. I want to understand. And I don't think it's mere coincidence that this same story of black man shot by police officer keeps happening over and over again. This is not a problem easily solved. No legislation can get into people's hearts, and we have a heart problem. It was a problem 200 years ago. It was a problem 50 years ago. It's a problem now.

It is easy to go on believing that peace is the reality in our country, and yes, we have come far. Yet the gap between blacks and whites for quality of life, educational opportunity, and equal treatment by the law remains. Maybe it's not as obvious as it was in 1960's automobile society, but racial division is undermining us in new ways, as we build up walls of judgement without understanding, and blame with no respect.

Let's change our hearts. Let's try to understand. Let's look for the truth. Let's go for facts and not biased judgment. Let's break down the walls and reach across the lines and let's remember that God is the God of all. Our souls are all the same color.

I am sorry for not understanding. I want to understand.

"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." -Colossians 3:11