It was a day of reflection and uncertainty for many following a week of violence in the United States. For parents, the events presented a particular challenge: How to explain the hatred and violence to our children.
"So last night, I am watching television with my son, and it's a split screen of New York and Dallas. And we see New York, and we're paying attention to New York and watching what's happening, and expecting something to happen in New York, and all of a sudden the camera starts running down the street and people start to scatter. And you realize something has happened," Glenn said.
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He went on to explain how his son reacted to seeing police officers down and coming to the realization it was happening near his hometown in Dallas.
"I felt him kind of just lean back towards me, and I grabbed him and I hugged him. I didn't know what to say. And I said, 'You're going to be safe. Everything's going to be fine. But, son, this is what we've been talking about. Your life is going to be different than mine. This is why we have to be good, decent people, and rely on God.'"
DALLAS, TX - JULY 08: People gather in a prayer vigil on July 8, 2016 in Dallas, Texas, following the deaths of five police officers during a Black Live Matter march. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)That was Glenn's experience with his son. When his executive assistant Michelle said the next day, "My world is upside down," Glenn gained a different perspective.
"She had the same experience with her boys. And she said, 'What do I say to them?' and I realized, 'Oh, my gosh. I've only thought of it from my point of view.' Michelle is black. I didn't even consider that her sons are watching these marchers saying, 'black lives matter,' and that has to be conflicting there," Glenn said.
A discussion ensued between Glenn, Michelle and head of content Ellen Wheeler, all of whom are parents facing the same dilemma.
"If you don't root yourself in something that is eternal, if you don't grab onto something that, you know, doesn't have its foundation in sand, you don't make it. You don't make it. Because this is just the beginning of this," Glenn said.
The platitudes delivered to those born in the 50s and 60s no longer work because the future will be a vastly different experience.
"I can't give you the same guarantees that our parents gave us --- go to college, you know, get a job, do these things, and life will turn out okay," Ellen said.
DALLAS, TX - JULY 08: Dallas Police Chief David Brown pauses at a prayer vigil on July 8, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Michelle agreed.
"You can't hide it. You can't hide it from them. You can't pretend that the world is so great, and you have to be honest," she said.
"I'm convinced of that. You have to tell them the truth because we're not solving this. They are. They were born for this time, for this purpose," Glenn added.
Principles will be the key to surviving the coming storm.
"The only thing you have is an iron rod of principles to hold onto. Grab hold of the iron rod. Because we are all going to need it, and we're all going to need each other," Glenn said.
Listen to this segment from The Glenn Beck Program:
Featured Image: People gather in a prayer vigil following the deaths of five police officers last night during a Black Live Matter march on July 8, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. Five police officers were killed and seven others were injured in a coordinated ambush at a anti-police brutality demonstration in Dallas. Investigators are saying the suspect is 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson of Mesquite, Texas. This is the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since September 11. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
