One hundred and sixty-two years ago Abraham Lincoln stood on a platform in his home state of Illinois and uttered the immortal words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Unfortunately, these words ring as true today as they did in 1858. From the foundation of this American continent to the present day, race relations have been and continue to be a seminal issue. From colonization through slavery, Reconstruction and the civil rights movement to this very moment, we as a nation have never adequately confronted the evils of prejudice.

Over the last several months we have shamefully watched as young black men like Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd were murdered for no apparent reasons. These are just the latest in a string of murders dating back to lynchings in the south after the Civil War. Why have these murders occurred? The answer is simple. They have occurred as a result of hatred for a person just because of the color of their skin.

We as a nation cannot and will not tolerate these actions any further. It is time for us as Americans to heal ourselves with firm action. Albert Einstein wrote, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” The time has come for us to do something. We are asking for an open and frank discussion on race relations to start now. We must realize and address problems such as job creation, educational opportunities, better healthcare initiatives and housing. We can do nothing less. The systemic racism we have experienced for over 400 years must be eradicated from this nation’s soul.

As Bergen County elected constitutional officials we cannot control what the federal government does on this most important issue, but as representatives of all of the people of Bergen County we can start that dialogue here at home. As Martin Luther King, Jr. proclaimed, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We are asking our elected officials, police departments, clergy and community leaders to join us in beginning this discussion. It very well might be the most important discussion we ever have. We ask those individuals to contact us to begin this open and frank dialogue. We as a people cannot let the words of Abraham Lincoln be prophetic. We cannot allow this house to be divided against itself.