Last week the president of Black Lives Matter New York, Hank Newsome, and his supporters came face-to-face with Pres. Trump supporters at a very vocal rally in Washington, D.C. Newsome\u2019s expectation was \u201cto come down here with my fist in the air in a very militant way, exchange insults, maybe some dirty looks, or who knows what.\u201d<\/p>\n
But a funny thing happened after Newsome was spontaneously welcomed onto the stage and invited to speak. He and the audience found places where they agree. If one watches the now-gone-viral, powerful video, agreement was specifically found on the assertions that:<\/p>\n
(1) Black lives matter.
\n(2) All lives matter.
\n(3) We need justice when a black life is unfairly lost. And\u2026
\n(4) If we really want America great, we do it together.<\/p>\n
In other words, when the approach was altered, agreement was found. Our approach often impedes understanding.<\/p>\n
Introducing exhibit #1\u2026 the kneeler.<\/p>\n
I ask first, no less, that we remember the circle metaphor\u2026 If we are all standing in a circle staring at the same object in the middle, there are a minimum of 360\u00b0 to look at the exact same thing. From 360 angles, it will look and feel differently. And\u2026 because we each have an unobstructed view, we will confidently assume we have the absolute, only<\/em> correct perspective\u2026 even when we are looking differently at (I repeat)<\/em> the exact same thing. Hence, the Intramuralist continues to contend that this is not solely a two-sided issue. I also contend that because of the chosen approach, there is minimal understanding; people are talking past each other.<\/p>\n Note the explanation of a friend of a friend, Martin Carbaugh: \u201cAs I see things, the two sides are talking past each other. The kneelers are kneeling to bring attention to racism and unjust police actions against African Americans. Many just want to get a national conversation started. In their hearts, they aren’t protesting our military.<\/em><\/p>\n Those so frustrated by this see the American flag and our National Anthem as unifying symbols of our country that should be honored and respected because of the countless lives that have been sacrificed to give us the freedoms we have today. They see the kneeling protests akin to spitting in the faces of returning veterans from war.<\/em><\/p>\n Where I come down is that what the kneelers are protesting, I can agree we should have an open honest conversation about, but the way they are protesting is not an effective way to get the nation you want to converse with to listen to you. It is offensive to those who have served our nation in war. It is also offensive to the vast majority of police officers who serve and protect with honor.<\/em><\/p>\n The protesters see anyone who doesn’t like their method of protest as not agreeing with what<\/strong> they are protesting when in reality most just disagree with how<\/strong> they are protesting. On the other side, those who don’t like the protests assume the protesters are unpatriotic, military haters when in reality a majority of the protesters just want something done about unjust police shootings.<\/em><\/p>\n This is my take. My advice to the protesters is to find a way to get your point across without offending so many folks. I mean, if I really want to get attention and have the country listen, it is best if I don’t offend you in the process. For those offended, try and understand those protesting may not be doing it the right way at all but they may have something we need to chat about and do something about.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I admit\u2026 I still have more questions than answers\u2026 did this initially start as a protest or pout, since Colin Kaepernick had just been benched by his team? … why did Pres. Trump feel he needed to get involved?\u2026 were the athletes this past weekend standing more for<\/strong> Colin Kaepernick or\u00a0against<\/strong> Donald Trump? … and why does this all have to happen during the National Anthem?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n But perhaps the best question \u2014 and not an easy one, but maybe the one most necessary to answer \u2014 is: when will people quit talking past each other?<\/em><\/p>\n As Hank Newsome shared after speaking with the seemingly un-likeminded, \u201cWhen I spoke truths, they agreed. I feel like we made progress. I feel like two sides that never listen to each other actually made progress today\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe progress starts with changing our approach\u2026 maybe it starts by inviting the un-likeminded onto our stage, inviting them to speak, and actually listening to what they have to say.<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026 Last week the president of Black Lives Matter New York, Hank Newsome, and his supporters came face-to-face with Pres. Trump supporters at a very vocal rally in Washington, D.C. Newsome\u2019s expectation was \u201cto come down here with my fist in the air in a very militant way, exchange insults, maybe some dirty looks, or who … <\/p>\n
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"