It was hardly a shocking outcome, but the minute the Ferguson grand jury announced Darren Wilson wouldn’t be indicted, the racial fissions that have divided America for centuries reasserted themselves with a newfound energy. Anyone with a Facebook account could accurately journal the stark contrast between those claiming Wilson as a “hero” and those labeling him as a “murderer.”
Unfortunately, we will likely never know exactly what transpired between Wilson and Michael Brown, the unarmed teenager who was killed in the altercation. That is not to say nothing has been gained from this incident. This country can no longer claim ignorance to the way that black people, especially black men, are policed. We can no longer claim ignorance to the fact that black Americans are statistically far more likely to be killed or injured by police than white Americans. A lesson that is at least as important to learn is how we talk about race – that is to say, we don’t. We don’t talk to each other about race so much as we talk at each other about race. There is an important distinction, because the former changes hearts and minds, and, by extension, policy, and the latter does not.
Part of the problem is that we, and this is unfortunately more true of white people, don’t often realize we’re talking about race, which often comes across as racist. But another part of the problem is that as soon as race becomes a topic, we tend to stake out our side of the boxing ring and refuse to leave. We throw out phrases like “race-baiting” on the one hand and make comparisons to the Ku Klux Klan on the other. This kind of interaction only pushes us further and further into our own corners. It does not draw us together so we find a compromise.
What we are primarily missing here is empathy. We are simply failing to see any perspective other than our own. When some people see the riots in Ferguson, all they see is a mob of criminals taking advantage of chaos by looting stores, rather than frustrated, hurting citizens who feel completely neglected by a system that is supposed to protect them. When some people see a white peer’s Facebook status asserting the former claim, all they see is an unabashed racist with no concern for others, rather than an individual who was indoctrinated with these beliefs from birth and has never known anything else. This is not only self-defeating, it’s also dangerous. It’s dangerous because we will never move past these issues if we do not begin making a genuine effort to both talk and listen to those with different opinions.
Discussions about race must happen if we are ever to eliminate these tragedies. But they must be authentic discussions, not opportunities to yell over one another. We must be able to lift each other up, not keep each other down. That is the only road out of Ferguson, Missouri.
Chisolm Allenlundy is a junior majoring in philosophy and economics. His column runs weekly.
