All Apologies

I don't know about your inbox, but mine has been littered over the past week with companies with whom I am either directly or indirectly connected telling me how they are going to deal with the institutionalized racism in our world. My son highlighted and sent an article to me about what LEGO is doing: A four million dollar contribution to  “organizations dedicated to supporting black children and educating all children about racial equality.” It may not have come as any kind of surprise to anyone that Ben &Jerry's had their own statement to make: We Must Dismantle White Supremacy. Great. Ice cream and building blocks. 
Now what else?
Amazon put a big banner on their web site that read, "Black Lives Matter," and billionaire Jeff Bezos defended that choice to an angry customer thus: “‘Black lives matter’ doesn’t mean other lives don’t matter. I have a 20-year-old son, and I simply don’t worry that he might be choked to death while being detained one day. It’s not something I worry about. Black parents can’t say the same.”
Okay. Next?
How about the video posted by a group of NFL players telling their fans and owners that Black Lives Matter? These voices were being heard at about the same instant that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was having his own reckoning with the voices in his head and his heart. After initially coming out stridently against those who might kneel during the National Anthem, he reversed course and apologized, saying "I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference." The "president," no fan of kneeling or apologizing, tweeted "I am a big fan of Drew Brees. I think he’s truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag."
To which Brees replied, "Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been. We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities." 
Something was in the wind, because later that same day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued his own apology. “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. It has been a difficult time for our country. In particular, black people in our country. First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and all the families who have endured police brutality.” 
"We were wrong." 
Meanwhile, the "president" retweeted one of his minions who insisted "Leaders lead. Cowards kneel." These folks seem to believe that tear gas and rubber bullets are a sign of strength. 
And though they will most likely never apologize, they were wrong.
There will be a lot more of that before this is all over.
More apologies. 
All apologies.