Omar Thornton: Connecticut shooting an issue of race

Connecticut shooting: Omar Thornton said it was an issue of race.

As it turns out, Omar Thornton, the Connecticut shooting suspect who took eight lives then killed himself last week Wednesday, himself said his actions were all about race and racism.

When this blogger's initial post was issued expressing sadness for the action and concern that some younger black men may not have the mental strength to deal with race, some people went so far as to send emails explaining that his actions had "nothing to do with race."

Well, the 911 call that Omar Thornton made to police after the shooting put an end to all that, and brings my concerns up yet again.

I'm very concerned that we may be allowing a group of African American men to grow up without the mental discipline required to deal with racism. What to do about this is a topic for both discussion and action. It's also one that must include all races of people, not just blacks, because then society would not change.

Omar Thornton sent a dangerous message that, if we don't pay attention to it, could fester and develop in American society. We can't let that happen.

While it's no question that the workplace Omar Thornton was in had racial problems, what Omar Thornton did in response is not the answer. That must be communicated over and over again.