Justice

'This Is on My Generation of Leaders,' Says Dallas Mayor

Mike Rawlings bluntly invoked the legacy of racism in speaking about recent violence by and against police.
A woman holds up a sign of support during a prayer vigil in a park following the shooting of multiple police officers in Dallas, Texas.REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

When Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings spoke at a public prayer service Friday afternoon honoring the victims of Thursday night’s sniper attacks on police, he dared to broach the topic of racism at a time when many in positions of authority have been reticent to do so.

“We will not shy away from the very real fact that we, as a city, as a state, as a nation, are struggling with racial issues,” said Rawlings. “They continue to divide us. Yes, it’s that word, ‘race,’ and we’ve got to attack it head on.”