BY JACKIE TOTH AND COLIN WRIGHT

   Over the past couple years, race relations in the United States have continued to deteriorate. The division between races is constantly growing, fueled by police killings and observable racism in society.
In response to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Black Lives Matter organization was created by Alicia Garza to combat the “virulent anti-Black racism that permeates our society.”
Black Lives Matter stages marches and protests in major cities across the nation, calling black Americans to action.
Following the formation of Black Lives Matter, people began using the phrase “All Lives Matter.” Those who stand behind this statement believe Black Lives Matter overlooks the importance of the lives of other individuals, including those in law enforcement.
“I know from personal experience what a police officer goes through day to day,” said Kenzie Grice, 11, whose father is a police officer. “I don’t like it when [BLM] makes assumptions about police officers because there have been poor actions on both sides.”
The topic of police brutality has been hotly debated. Riots have been incited in retaliation against police-related violence.
“People have a right to protest peacefully, but rioting is not helping matters. It’s making things worse at that point,” said Officer Innocenti.
Even though Wadsworth is 96.9% white (according to the 2010 census), these issues still reach the city through media platforms; providing perspective to people who would otherwise be uninformed.