Voice of the People: We Speak as One Voice

I have traveled around the world to at least 27 different countries. I must say, that since before Dec. 2, 2015, San Bernardino has had the highest per capita number of people who loved and cared for their community than any other place I have visited. A close second is Basel, Switzerland where most people speak four languages. In Basel, they learn language and culture. Whereas here in San Bernardino we live, eat and breathe culture on a daily basis. With this cultural aspect comes several groups of people who feel strongly about how to better their community. We have battled issues such as homelessness, education, employment and economic bolstering during a sagging global economy. Even though each sect of the community has varying opinions as to how to better our community, each group is intensely motivated to make our community better as a whole with respect for the opinions of others. For this reason, I rank the citizens of San Bernardino number one when it comes to love and care for their community. Now we have been saddled with a calamity of the first order-the horrific shooting incident of Dec. 2, 2015. San Bernardino has not been weakened. On the contrary, we have become stronger. We continue to love and care for our community but now we do so with one voice. Now our voice resonates beyond city boundaries. With the world watching, we have stepped up to the plate to become leaders as a community. We have shown the world a good example of having love and respect for each other, the victims and our country. Have you noticed that our leaders and citizens have focused on expressing love and condolences, opposed to the alternative. We are no longer, Black, White, Latino, African American, Mexican, Asian, Conservatives or Liberals. We are San Bernadinians. Out of respect for the victims who have lost their lives, were injured or traumatized we must hold dear to our core values and continue to speak these values to the world as one voice. We will speak as San Bernardinians.