The recent events that have taken place in our country, and really around the world, that include racism and violence toward people is unconscionable.   Purely by the fact that we live in an affluent country, enjoy many amenities of comfort, makes all of us, regardless of race, religion or place of origin "privileged" compared to those who live on the fringes of life, for whatever their reason or cause, and who are treated without dignity and respect.  To witness and observe the actions of some, as we have seen played out in the media in Charlottesville and in other places in our country should be appalling to all of us.  I grew up as a very impressionable young person during the riots in Detroit, Flint and other cities in the 1967-68 racial tension.  I went to an integrated high school where I was in the minority and witnessed the tension of race, inequality and white privilege.  My parents did the best they could to shield me and my family from what they knew was going on in other cities and communities around us, but trust me, I knew.  I knew because I was confronted with it every day in school.  Will what is happening now in our country change for the better?  Not unless we seriously commit ourselves to the message of Jesus Christ.