“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

I thought of Dr. King’s words this week as the images of a murder in Minneapolis rippled across the nation. George Floyd takes his place alongside Eric Garner and so many other African Americans before them—victims not only of police brutality but also of a culture that devalues their existence.

Both Mr. Floyd and Mr. Garner told officers, “I can’t breathe.” Freedom itself can’t breathe in a country choked by bigotry, violence and discrimination.

We can’t simply ask how we got here—because the truth is, we always were. Racism remains America’s original and persistent sin.

But we can and must ask where we go now. Join me today at 12 pm MDT for a Virtual Town Hall at andrewromanoff.com/live (or check back later for a replay at andrewromanoff.com/videos).

“Our lives begin to end,” Dr. King reminded us, “the day we become silent about things that matter.” Half a century later, it’s not enough for us to say “Black Lives Matter” when, day after painful day, we act like they don’t.

Andrew Romanoff