In the wake of George Floyd’s death and amid so much unrest, what should be done to help the nation heal?

Here's what you said

Alice Coyle
Jenna Beers raises her fist while holding a Black Lives Matter sign during a Black Lives Matter rally on the field outside the high school on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Last week #ConfabNE asked New Englanders about the ongoing protests and demonstrations being held across the country in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

Floyd’s death has opened painful wounds and reveals the scars of social injustice, inequality and racism that remain in America. But it has also sparked a massive movement pushing for reform and systemic change, particularly within our criminal justice system.

We wanted to know, in the wake of George Floyd’s death and amid so much national unrest, what should be done to help the country and local communities heal?

Here’s what you said.

I think that little sustained progress can truly be made until all cultures have shared experience. Perhaps the country needs to have all young adults coming out of high school enter a 1-2 year period of civil service, provided by Uncle Sam. Not military service; civil service. They get the same housing, same meals, same work, same service, same education, same opportunity, away from home and fully integrated. Maybe then we can have generations, different regions, and different cultures that can relate, and unite on common vision for the nation.

William Babetski

Orleans, Mass.

I don't know if anything can be done. People are so divided and there is no one in the government that is trying to unite the people of the United States. Politicians only seem to care if they are Democrats or Republicans and not US citizens. I am afraid there will be more violence and more people hurt.

Dorothy Wagner

Dover, NH.

There is no simple answer here. We can start with our police; there is no room for officers that are racist. Unfortunately these officers reflect badly on the other 95 percent of police that love their job and protect all of society. To them, I give my support and thank them, as I know theirs is not an easy job.

Tricia Campbell

Marshfield, Mass.

Leaders in all capacities need to acknowledge, address, and work to change the inhumane ways in which black people are treated in this country. Protection needs to be implemented for people of color in all aspects, especially from the police. Cops should be forced to wear body cams and be justly charged if they are found to act on any type of stereotype or unjust profiling against black people. The government and administration need to work to ensure that black lives are elevated and respected and protected. Once there are clear signs these things are being done the country can begin to heal.

Rachel Levitt

Boston, Mass.

There's no simple answer. Hell, there may not even be a complicated answer. Racism and hatred are taught, and they are taught to these people at a young age. It stays with them, and as adults their behavior won't change. We need to teach our children love. We need to teach our children respect. We need more faith and morality in our society. We have opened the dialogues, but we need to not be afraid to have the dialogue with people who disagree with us. We need to be open to differing points of view. We need to be self aware, myself especially as a middle class heterosexual white male. I'm the definition of privilege and I'm still learning what that means. It breaks my heart to see this happening all over the country. If we can learn to love and accept one another, we can start the long, long road to recovery.

Matt Moschella

Whitman, Mass.

Hold all the officers accountable for their actions. If the tables were turned we all know a minority or black person would be charged quicker than you can blink. We've continued to make excuses for this behavior instead of doing what's right. Enough is enough. Lives are precious especially innocent ones.

India Nunes-Torres

North Attleboro, Mass.

External police oversight committee, three strikes you're out, desk duty for any questionable use of force, social emotional training.

Caril Carlson

West Yarmouth, Mass.

I wish to God I knew. Start with good officers helping get bad officers off the police force. People of color still don’t have the same privileges as white people. That has to stop. If the Federal government must enact laws to stop this systematic racism, then they must do it now. Healthcare for all would be a good start. Equal funding for schools, equal opportunity to good paying jobs and higher education must be done now.

Susan Reardon

Brockton, Mass.

The police have to be watched more closely when civil liberty violations occur. They just can’t be swept under the rug and be slapped on the wrist. More thorough psychological profiling has to be done for those becoming members of law enforcement. More training is needed on human issues and not just physical issues.

Mary Frankio

Whitman, Mass.

Enacting real reform of our police forces. Allowing police to do their jobs, but keeping racial profiling and harassment out of the equation.

Dan Walsh

Quincy, Mass.

Governors and US Senators need to stand in bipartisan solidarity to voice a clear message that Black Lives Matter and reform is imminent. A task force of powerful people needs be formed to address systemic racism in America. It needs to include experts on race and inequality, health, human services, housing, law enforcement, and education. It needs to be bipartisan, and it needs to report monthly to the American people on its work and its policy recommendations. And the president of the United States needs to issue a formal apology for all his predecessors about the enslavement, murder, rape abuse and discrimination of BIPOC in America.

Amanda Blount

Providence, RI


Shannyn Williams

Marion, Mass.

I was alive when Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were both assassinated. So many years have gone by but not much has changed. No one is above the law, police officers as well as the president. I want a president who speaks as an adult and not like someone who is still living out his childhood memories of bullying and having no empathy towards anyone. I want a president who can unify the county and not divide it more than it already is. He is not someone that I would ever look up to. I'm embarrassed that he is our president; I have not felt this way about any other president in all the years that I have lived. I hope that this nightmare ends soon.

Cindy Wordell

South Easton, Mass.

When officers kill unarmed citizens who are not a threat they should be arrested, tried, and fired the same as any civilian would.

Tonia Jenkins

Brockton, Mass.

Police need to be held accountable by instituting the following measures: 1. Body cameras. 2. Civilian review boards. 3. No arrest quotas. 4. No qualified immunity for murder 5. Demilitarize the police. 6. Resolve nonviolent crimes in a civil manner/using summons. 7. Get citizens more involved in policing their own communities. 8. De-escalation techniques. 9. Transition police officers into peace officers 10. End civil asset forfeiture 11. Shut down all private prisons. 12. End the police and surveillance state. 13. End no knock raids with a few very specific exceptions. 14. End the drug war. 15. Mental health training. 16. Limit police functions to specific actions. 17. Hire more social and community workers. 18. Focus on helping nonviolent offenders and solving their issues in life rather than punishing them. 19. Invest in education and social programs. 20. Strengthen the relationship between the community and the police through outreach programs.

Matthew Mixon

Billerica, Mass.

Leaders must speak with compassion and empathy to all persons of color. White leaders must be a living example of humility, recognizing what systemic privilege is, how they have benefitted personally from privilege, and offer specific plans to change their own behaviors and attitudes, take caring corrective action, and encourage all white Americans to open their hearts and learn what the daily reality is for brown-skinned people to live in this country.

Franklin Davis

Acton, Mass.

We have to educate ourselves to the full extent of the grievous harm done to people of color, open our hearts to feel that pain, and commit to work together to root out all system and institutions that perpetuate the harm and pain.

Pat Manny

Norwich, Conn.

Criminal justice reform in all 50 states, defunding of police departments nationwide, community policing policies that bring law enforcement back into the communities they serve, active listening.

Holly Kasem-Beg

Norwich, Conn.

Legislation designed to reduce systemic racism in our criminal justice system.

Diane Leewood

Ipswich, Mass.

Anti-racist laws and policies at the Federal and state level and a new president.

Janelle Eddy

North Andover, Mass.

Jobs, social justice for all minorities that is enforced, leaders that take action against prejudice, fight hate with love, stop giving out welfare payments and produce a healthy community. Make qualifying for disability more stringent. Healing comes from caring and not ignoring. Do something about why people are hurting. Promote more opportunities for a minority platform. Be the cure.

Joan Kopley

Gardner, Mass.

This nation’s racial wounds have been open for hundreds of years. Please allow each and every one of us to support and heal each other in the best ways we know how. Hold the judgments, derogatory comments and seek the good in your neighbor. Peace.

Robin St. Pierre

Marshfield, Mass.

Be united. Share compassion and end hatred based on the color of your skin.

Nancy Laliberte

Boston, Mass.

The federal government should hire our nation's best sociologists, group psychologists and historians to anonymously interview active and retired police officers and study the causes of police brutality against people of color and produce a report and practical action plan for widespread reform. I expect this would take at least two years. In the short-term, I think we need to admit to the police and ourselves that society has been sending them mixed messages. For hundreds of years, long before there was an America, the unofficial and sometimes official role of police was to maintain the social status quo. A police officer in 1950s Georgia would understand that oppressing people of color was part of his job. An idealistic recruit in 1980s or 1990s California might show up hoping to be like the police officers he or she had seen on TV only to have older police tell him or her "Do what the rest of us do, or we won't trust you, and you'll find yourself without backup when you need it." In my experience, people who've made sacrifices--like our idealistic recruit, who sacrifices some of his or her moral value--don't react well when they're told those sacrifices are not necessary or not wanted or that they are bad people for making them. As much as it is far, far worse for the people being oppressed by the police, I think it would be easier to get the police to change if we all said, publicly, "We acknowledge that yes you were told it was your job to brutalize people, and many of you had to teach yourselves how to do that, sometimes at great pain. We acknowledge that the rules are being changed out from under you. We are sorry that it took us all so long to create a society in which police can be the heroes we were all pitched as children."

Diana Flynn

Newmarket, NH

Start within your own community to initiate systemic changes of ingrained racist responses. The predominately white communities on the North Shore can stand together with black and brown people in fighting oppression, inequality, injustice and racial profiling. While our local recent marches and vigils have been powerful, meaningful and peaceful, it’s time for major changes to come now. George Floyd’s death is the catalyst of a new movement; “Enough is Enough,” “I Can’t Breathe,” “Everything Hurts,” “You’re Killing Me.” He cried out for his mother, who died a few years ago. “8 minutes, 47 seconds.” I don’t have a name for this “new movement,” but black lives matter.

It’s important, supportive and healing for churches and synagogues to display Black Lives Matter banners in front of their places of worship. The police departments and sheriff’s office on the North Shore can stand by people of color and allow them to feel safe by displaying the Black Lives Matter banner as well. Families in our communities can purchase Black Lives Matter signs to display in their yards. What are we teaching our children about the injustice, inequality and oppression of people of color? Displaying the Black Lives Matter banner at schools is an affirming message for children of color and for any child to grow up with. Black Lives Matter banners are easily purchased. Young children lead with love. Adults need to pay more attention to them.

Here are some specific actions you can take. Write to your local and state representatives, senators, governors and congress people asking them what measures they plan to demonstrate and commit to protect black people, including black trans, queer and gender non-conforming people. Be active in your town’s elections, suggesting education, healthcare and community programs that benefit people of color. Run for office to ensure the changes. Ask your police departments to participate in trainings focusing on systemic racism and police brutality. Hold local police accountable for acts of racism.

These are just some steps we can take to fight for the freedom of all people of color. By doing even a small part, individuals, families and communities can begin the healing process and love and support one another. And, most importantly, save black and brown lives.

Holly Aloha Jaynes

Marblehead, Mass.


This week’s question

After two weeks of demonstrations, rallies and marches across the country protesting the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota, a petition calling for police in New Bedford, Massachusetts to wear body cameras has received nearly 10,000 signatures.


Should all police officers be required to use body cameras while on duty? And what other steps should police departments take to promote transparency, accountability and better community relations?

Please fill out and submit our online #ConfabNE form or email your answers to Alice Coyle at neopinion@gatehousemedia.com. Look for responses online on June 18.


Rain washes over Iolando Spinola, 32, of Brockton during nine minutes of silence for George Floyd during the protest and vigil held outside Brockton City Hall on Saturday, June 6, 2020. [Alyssa Stone/The Enterprise]