I began to cry | Letter

CJ Letter

Our governor, a wealthy white man with his hands on the controls of Commonwealth resources and a new home in Anchorage, came to the West end of Louisville to stage an event at which he had promised to address the violence in the city - and he told black people to pray.

I began to cry. And I hope my tears are tears that will not stop.

I am 70 years old: all my life black people have been exhorted to pray.

All my life black people have been praying. And long before that.

More:Yes, I'm embarrassed for Christianity | Joe Phelps

For all the prayers and all the blood, the sweat, the tears, we are living out of our past - we have racism, and out of racism, we have poverty. We have low paying jobs. We have food deserts. We have health inequity, underfunded education, unequal distribution of resources, empty houses, vacant lots, fearful citizens who have armed themselves and rightfully fearful police.

Now we have one more burden, a tone-deaf, patronizing governor who has dismantled what safety net we had. I entreat him to nominate one of his friends to be Czar of Urban Streets and mandate $250,000 to fund it.

Let's take back our city from this and every other kind of violence.

Susan M. Bentley, MD

Louisville 40204

Background: Bevin's solution to violence: West End prayer patrols

More:Prayer not just a feel good measure | Letter