EDITORIAL

The Family is the Issue

Posted

The events in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore, Md., have rightly disturbed us. These protests and riots have led pundits on both sides of the aisle to blame police racism and brutality on the one hand, and criminals and “thugs” on the other. The problem, however, is much deeper than racism or criminality.

Time and again we’ve heard that these protests and riots stem from a systemic problem. This is true; but the systemic problem does not lie simply within the political system. The systemic problem goes much deeper: the family.

The family is the fundamental building block of society. The Second Vatican Council referred to the family as the “Domestic Church.” It is in the family that children learn respect for the dignity of the human person. It is in the family that children learn to accept others, regardless of their race. It is in the family that children learn to work out problems without resorting to violence. It is in the family that children learn to live a virtuous and Godly life.

Sadly, many families in our society today are broken and struggling. Single-parent families are at frighteningly high levels. African American families are among the worst victims in this category at nearly 70 percent.

Every one has an opinion on why Ferguson and Baltimore happened. But all of us need to focus our energy on addressing the real systemic problem. Government, churches and local communities must commit to strengthening family life to once again be the center of educating children in values.