Mississippians are joining with President Obama calling for Americans to talk about racial bias following violence across the nation last week. MPB's Desare Frazier reports.
The police slayings in Dallas and the officer-involved shootings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota last week, are on the minds of Mississippians. Neddie Winters is president of Mission Mississippi, a culturally diverse group, that promotes prayer and racial healing. He says building relationships across racial lines is important.
"I think the more we have forums to have dialogue and talk to one another and get to know one another is that when frustration and anger and all that stuff sets in, to be able to get answers to be able to talk to someone they trust, someone they know," said Winter.
Veronica Wylie protested at the state capitol last week over the police killings of black men. She says talking isn't enough.
"There just has to be some action that comes along with this. I think that we have to keep in mind that it isn't enough to beat each other down because of our opinions because of our faith or whatever. And really this is a time for us to unite and a time for us to say something must be done," said Wylie.
Ross Aldridge is with the Dixie Alliance, an organization that wants to keep the current state flag with the confederate emblem. He believes people need to talk--but first lay aside political correctness.
"And then when folks will sit down at a table from different perspectives of your community whether it be religious, race or what not and start talking, then lay all your cards on the table and God gave us to ears and one mouth and we have to listen more than we talk," said Aldridge.
Ross Aldridge says talking about race has to be intentional and include young people.
