This week we asked readers their thoughts on the recent shootings of police officers and black men across the country.

I believe that no matter what race, religion or sexuality, we are all at the end of the day human. Racism has always been a big issue in this society. We shouldn’t harm or hate one another just because we are different from each other. I personally believe if we stopped this nonsense and just accept the fact that that we’re all different, but at the same time we all still breathe, eat and feel the same things, then maybe we will reach the point when we learn to respect each other.
Stephanie Rivera, Norwood

I think it actually comes down to a conspiracy; This is the government’s agenda. Of course, nothing is going to be done and it’s going to continue. Unfortunately, I believe we have a long fight ahead of us. You don’t need a call to action, you just need to act. And sadly there’s not much being done; so worse times are coming and I’m just praying.
Ana Rosa Peguero-Miles, Washington Heights

Ultimately, the issue is lack of education on all sides. The truth is it’s a multifaceted issue. It has so many causes and the problem is everyone is playing the blame game. Not enough people are aware of what’s going on in the black communities and why the numbers, statistics and trends show the things that they do. So they have this opinion that black people commit more crimes or dangerous and deadly attacks. Acknowledging a problem is the first step to solving it and people are doing a lot of ranting on social media that isn’t accomplishing anything.
Darin May, Bronxwood

I don’t think there is a solution right now because of what went on, because the police showed their brutality. So everybody is fighting back and it’s going to be real hard to contain that now because of the deaths of the innocent bystanders and all the other occasions when people got hurt. It’s kind of different now. I don’t know when there can be peace, it’s getting worse and worse. I don’t see a solution, too many people want to retaliate. They’re going to have to make peace with us.
Kashidy Little, Norwood

I think the solution is for people to come together, but people can’t come together until they realize that all lives do matter. Most of the lives being taken are black lives and black lives are in jeopardy right now. [T]he more people that realize that, then we can finally come together and change can be done.
Reggie Nunnally
Fordham