One of the comments that I hear quite often in relationship to the riots, protests, end commentary regarding George Floyd's death is that we need to have a national conversation about police brutality and race relations in America. This is often followed by the opinion that having this conversation will prevent this from happening again. Well I think most of the people expressing these views are sincere in their belief that this is an opportunity to make change. However, I do not believe they really want to have a conversation nor do I believe they really want to effect change. Let me be clear, when I make this statement I am talking about the people who have a platform on which to speak out, including politicians, members of the mainstream media, celebrities, and not necessarily the people who are actually living in the real world.

Let me provide some evidence to support my belief: Drew Brees has given over $50,000,000 to charitable organizations and he regularly gives up his time to help those in need. He has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of those who may not have as strong of a voice as well as in support of many political issues that are not necessarily popular with some of the fans of the New Orleans Saints. This week he gave an interview in which he said he does not agree with the method of protest in which NFL players kneel during the national anthem. This comes out of his respect for the flag and the members of his family that served in the military. He never said anything about not believing the message people are trying to deliver when they kneel during the national anthem. In fact his past statements and actions prove he agrees with them. He was castigated in the media and by his own teammates for being tone deaf and not informed. He was compelled to apologize for a belief that he holds dear.

Grant Naper has been the play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA since 1988. Earlier this week he tweeted that "all lives matter." He was forced to resign that position and lost his job as host of a sports show on the local radio station because he did not 'understand' that, as one of the Sacramento King players put it, black people are the ones being discriminated against and white people cannot seem to understand that.

The examples of people expressing differing opinions and being met with derision, hate, and being told they don't understand are endless. It proves that these people do not want to have a real conversation but would rather have everyone agree with them and act in the manner that they desire. They would rather dictate their beliefs be accepted and adopted by everyone rather than take an opportunity to educate others as to why they feel the way they do and to learn why those that might hold a different viewpoint, feel the way they do.

Another commonly expressed opinion among those with a platform is that white people, especially white celebrities, must speak out actively and denounce racism. The inference is made that if they do not make clear and strong statements against racism that they must be supporting those who are racist. The assumption is that they are not expressing opinions in their own social circles or communities that denounce racism. Even if their actions such as in treating others equally or donating their time to charitable causes that primarily assist minorities, should erase any doubt that they are racist or bigoted, that is not enough for the race baiters. It also paints white people with a broad brush assuming that we all hold the same opinions and that, by definition, is racism.

Part of the problem is of course with the politicians and their friends in the media. Rarely do we see stories or photos that show the peaceful protests in which people of all races are participating. We have to search for the photos of police officers not only participating with the protesters but being hugged buy them and walking arm and arm with them. Rarely do we see the videos of minorities denouncing the violent protests or expressing opinions that do not agree totally with the 'approved' message delivered by the politicians and media.

These people do not want to hear that if racism is indeed systemic it is not President Trump's fault. It is the fault of the politicians that are continually elected to office to run these cities and states. Most of them claim to want to help the minorities but their situation, whether economically or socially, never really changes. They don't want to hear that these politicians failed to implement policies and enforce those policies that would have taken bad police officers off of the force. They don't want to hear about the unions that argued on behalf of these bad actors keeping their jobs despite evidence of bigotry or harassment.

No, the "conversation" they want to have is not a conversation at all. It is a lecture and a mandate. We must kneel to denounce our white privilege. We must chant in unison the words they would have us say. We must not provide documentation or facts that disagree with their premise. You should not be surprised at the stands they have taken because this is the stance they have taken on college campuses for decades. Dissenting opinions are not welcome. Dissenting facts are not to be discussed.

That is why we have to have these conversations among our social circles including those that might be on the fringe of those circles but might have differing opinions from us. The real change does not begin in the political chambers of state or federal governments or even in the media. Ferguson, Baltimore, Miami, and countless other incidents that resulted in protests and rioting have proven that our so-called leaders cannot or do not want to effect change. The real change will come in our neighborhoods and communities when we have these conversations and realize there are many more things upon which we agree than disagree and use that as a basis to make real and effective changes.