KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Could what happen in Ferguson, Missouri happen here? On Sunday morning Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Sly James talked about race relations in the metro at a local church. He said Kansas Citians are doing a good job but said we can do better.
“It doesn’t take much to start a fire one match and a can of gasoline can start something and we never know who’s got the match or where the gasoline may be so it’s always better to be proactive,” said Mayor James.
His address at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in midtown was about the state of the city. He also talked about race and community relations, asking for feedback and comments from the public.
“It’s an important issue in the fabric of any city it’s also very topical right now in terms of all the things that are happening across the country,” he said.
Mayor James said Kansas City is making strides especially when it comes to the relationship between the public and police, but said there’s still plenty of progress to be made.
“I think we’re in good shape, but we’re not in as good of shape as we can be, you know,” he said. “Really what needs to change is we need more relationships with people who aren’t like us.”
Carolyn MacDonald with All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church said it’s not always an easy topic to talk about, but said it’s necessary.
“I think that’s all the more reason we have to talk about it and at the forum we try never to shy away from controversial issues,” she said.
This is the fourth January in a row Mayor James has given an address at the church.
