The latest essay from 1776 Unites founder Bob Woodson in Newsweek looks at how grassroots leaders – like those nurtured by the Woodson Center and its Community Affiliate Network – defused potential violence in the wake of a tragic shooting. The relative peace in Akron, Ohio is not a fluke; it can be replicated:
"Did you hear about the riots in Akron, Ohio? There weren't any. That's because the mayor, police department, and community leaders in Akron are showing the rest of America how to handle potentially volatile police-involved deaths.
Jayland Walker was killed by police on June 27, but the city has remained surprisingly quiet, even with protests. We have seen calls for peace and dialogue, not destruction and mayhem. So why didn't this city burn, like so many others have in the wake of police shootings?
To begin with, the family of the victim, the city government, its religious and community leaders, and its police force have shown a commitment to honesty, transparency, and community well being from the very first day. The mayor has held daily briefings with the public. They had a community-oriented plan in place long before the shooting occurred, and carried it out faithfully...
What's more, none of the involved parties have allowed the issue to be hijacked for political purposes ... Walker's family exhorted the public to remain peaceful from the very beginning. They have resisted pressure to racialize the tragedy, and instead sought the best interests of their community."
