can we fix it?

It was ironic; was it not?

While celebrating a national holiday marked by its inherent humility and grace, a midwestern suburb smoldered due to non-peaceful protest. The streets and small businesses of Ferguson, Missouri were looted and set ablaze, as violent protestors were enraged by a grand jury’s decision not to indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed young black man. As has been said amidst these posts, while all are welcome to their opinion, the insistence that any can ascertain a verdict of guilt or innocence without being present or reviewing all evidence seems questionable. Again, however, emotion and experience have paved the path to truth for far too many. Emotion is guiding what may or may not be true.

What is true, no less, is that racial tension is significant in this country. During the tenure of the nation’s first African-American president, the tension seems to have at best remained constant — possibly, even increased. The tension is real and significant.

I watched this week how many attempted to address the issue. How do we deal with the problem? How do we fix it? Can we fix it?

I watched some call out white people, some call out black people, and some remain strikingly silent.

I watched some pick out a singular, perceived aspect contributing to the tension — prejudice, privilege, or civil rights only for some. Some called out poverty; others called out law enforcement, the justice system, or a singular aspect of crime: white on black, black on white — even black on black.

Can we fix it?

I watched many speak of the need to fight. Said activist Al Sharpton (not exactly camera shy) in the immediate aftermath, “It was expected, but still an absolute blow… We can lose a round, but the fight is not over.”  Occupy Wall Street and other less peaceful activists have said we need to take advantage of the fight.

Can we fix it?

This is a tough issue, friends. Part of the challenge is that too many parties fight. And not only do too many parties fight, but most seem to fight only for one party. If we believe in civil rights, we must believe in civil rights for all. If we believe in no judging by the color of a person’s skin, then no skin color should matter. So back to my question: can we fix it?

I will say it again. This is tough. Fixing it is hard. What exists that can actually unite all people? In what can we find oneness and unity?

The history of racial tension in this country is complicated, painful, and deeply rooted. It is challenging for each of us to comprehend the totality and depth of the issue. If we are going to even attempt to “fix” this problem — or at the very least, minimize the tension — then we need to engage in deep, empathetic, loving, and honest discussion prioritizing reconciliation. My sense is that the calling out, looting, singular aspect focus, and the fighting for civil rights only for some (or empathy only for some — or loving only of some) will not aid in the reconciliation process.

We need far more humility and grace… far more focus on more than “some.”

Respectfully…

AR