Issues Under Fire: Pope Francis and the Race Issue

Issues Under Fire: Pope Francis and the Race Issue 

Usually on Fridays, there is always some lame excuse posted explaining why nothing will be posted. But after covering Pope Francis' activities in the States this week, this observer had more than a few revelations that deserved comment. When many of his holiness' follows were interviewed by media outlets after he'd spoken, to a person, they gleefully responded with how happy they were that he'd addressed issues close to their hearts. Cool I thought, until I began to think. 

I began to think of all the issues I'd like the Pope to say a word or two about while he commanded the world's attention. The more I thought, the more the list grew. Thinking if I began to prioritize, my list would shrink a bit, I was surprised when everything began to seem as important as everything else. Then it hit me. Pick one and only one. When I took that approach, I could only come up with one issue I'd want his Holiness to address while on U.S. soil. Racism: America's historic Black and White Divide! 

I know this is a touchy issue to confront, but what better time to deal with it since the race issue continues to heat up in America. What better time to say a word or two about racism and its lasting legacy. Perhaps if his Holiness addressed racism, he'd get more traction when he made his case for poverty. Perhaps if his Holiness addressed racism, he might get more traction when he's making a case for helping the most vulnerable and desperate. Perhaps if  his Holiness addressed racism, he get more traction when he makes a plea for compassion, understanding and tolerance. 

I know many can argue this is neither the time or place for Pope Francis to stick his nose into U.S. domestic affairs. However, this observer would contend there is no one more credible than the Pope to put a bug in the ear of NYPD Police Commissioner William Bratton (reportedly a Roman Catholic) about how his department police and "manage" the city's minorities and the poor.  

Maybe, just maybe, police commissioner Bratton could be made to understand, behind many broken windows are broken families, broken dreams, broken lives and broken hearts. When lives are being lived like that too long, its only a matter of time before their will to try is broken too. Perhaps Pope Francis is the only one who can reach commissioner Bratton's heart. That is of course if it can be confirmed commissioner Bratton actually has one. 

Bottom line: The fact that Pope Francis is visiting New York City, where the racial divide runs parallel to the economic divide, raising the race issue would encompass all of the aforementioned issues and more. No podcast today.