Yes, I do write quite a few letters to the editor. And most of them involve some sort of suggestion that in order to help solve our problems locally, statewide, nationwide and worldwide that we, as a human species, need to change some of our attitudes and mind-sets.

I can think of a no more classic example of what I am talking about than in the present Ferguson, Missouri, uprising due to the killing of an unarmed black man by a while policeman. I’m sure we all know the story and have seen and heard it ad infinitum these past number of days.

Here is the point I’d like to make in this letter: When the decision was made for state troopers to take control from Ferguson police chief Tom Jackson and his entire force putting State Trooper Capt. Ron Johnson in charge, something happened. Capt.  Johnson immediately had his troopers dress normally and actually walk with the protesters, engaging in conversations, discussions and all the while maintaining order.   

Here is an actual media account of what happened: “Capt. Johnson’s leadership in Ferguson on Thursday was, by all accounts, fair and benevolent. The atmosphere was reported by protesters and reporters to be jubilant and carnival-like, as live-streams of the marches showed protesters cheering, hugging and taking photographs with police, who waked side by side with people in the crowds.”

Quite a transformation from what we had been hearing, right?  Personally, I see no way of being able to make headway in solving any conflicts, be they in personal relationships, family, community, statewide, nationwide or worldwide unless we, the human species, are willing to “take off our armor” and engage in meaningful dialogue, discussion, listening, sharing points of view, and in projecting fair and benevolent attitudes. —Bob McClellan, Polson