A Painful opportunity

“A person or group of people can suffer real damage, real distortion, if the people or society around them mirror back to them a confining or demeaning or contemptible picture of themselves”
— Charles Taylor in "The Politics of Recognition"

“How does it feel to be a problem?”
— W.E.B. Dubois in "Souls Of black Folk"

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. (Luke 8:17)

     The last few months have been very interesting times.  As a student of movements and change, a unique phenomena has arisen and hope, rather, I pray that you understand that you (yes, you!) are in a unique position to change our world for the better.

    Allow me to share a couple principles and disclaimers on this highly volatile subject:

1. I recognize the need for strong law enforcement for a civil society.
2. I am a strong supporter of law enforcement officials and recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with the position.
3. As an African American man, this issue is not hypothetical but the mistreatment and suspicion is real.
4, I understand the seeking of justice as an expression of faith.

     I invite you first to take a step back so that you can see the big picture.  In the cases of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner, or more accurately, the non-cases of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner, we see the tragic death of unarmed young men at the hands of law enforcement.  Without any qualification, the death of unarmed young adults is always tragic, regardless of context, ethnicity, nationality, or socioeconomic background.  When a pattern develops where death, injuries, and unfair suspicion are displayed, it is clear that there is a systematic root to the pattern of injustice.

    A pattern is demonstrated when we  note that although African American men do not commit a majority of the crimes in the U.S., they are more than 21 times more likely to be shot by law enforcement officials, 3 times more likely to be arrested, and when convicted will serve significantly longer sentences (Click here for a review).  Think about the fact currently the U.S. incarcerates a larger percentage of its Black population than South Africa in apartheid.  Likewise, consider the fact that the vast majority of illegal drug users and distributors are White but 75% of people who are incarcerated for drug charges nationally are Black or Latino (The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander).

     Unfortunately, popular media shows Black people in images of dangerous, lazy, impoverished, and ignorant people.  This media portrayal is not merely the case of an exploiting media but the collusion of dozens of national and civil myths that began in the founding of this nation. These are narratives that justify European-American identity in a positive manner, often to the exclusion and denigration of others.  For example, the myth of the chosen nation posits the U.S. as a nation chosen by God to demonstrate His purposes and priorities.  It was used in justifying the near extermination of Native Americans. Genocide is not possible unless you first dehumanize. (The same could be said for a number of other civil myths).  That process of dehumanization was often instigated and implemented by individuals who would identify themselves as people with a strong moral compass. In fact, one does not need to hold racist or evil intentions, to participate and promote racist and unjust practices and systems.

    Too often, the general populace is unable to see the overall pattern, instead focusing on the "rightness or wrongness" of individuals involved, This tendency is then flavored by the perceived and often stereotyped character of the agents involved.  That's where the racialization begins.

     While there has been a popular wave of sentiment to consider popular culture as "post-racial" and a push to develop color-blind policies (such as rescinding many affirmative action programs).  Most sociologist recognize that racism or racialization has not been eliminated but merely readdressed in color-blind terms.(Please see "Racism without Racists",E. Bonilla-Silva). This process is largely covert to the vast majority of citizens.

"A new form of prejudice has come to prominence, one that is preoccupied with matters of moral character, informed by the virtues associated with the traditions of individualism.  At its center are the contentions that Blacks do not try hard enough to overcome the difficulties they face and that they take what they have not earned.  Today, we say, prejudice is expressed in the language of American individualism."~Sociologists David Sears and Donald Kinder in Divided by Color

     I have read so many people respond that Michael Brown was a "thug", a "criminal", or that his behavior with Officer Wilson single-handely justified his being shot multiple times despite being unarmed.  There is an emphasis on his character and his behavior as the driver of the violence. We learn only afterwards that Michael had no record.  Siimilar concerns were expressed in the Trayvon Martin case.  Trayvon's character was assassinated while the troubles of George Zimmerman were not thought to be relevant to the case.  In an initial report on the tragic shooting of 12 year old Tamir Rice, Cleveland.com reported his parent's criminal records.Its concerning  that its important to identify the victims as a criminal while ignoring the character and history of the shooters.

    All of this points to a very subjective analysis of the evidence and a very subjective treatment of the victims..

    The process of seeing the victim as subhuman is the first step in justified killing. Study any genocide, and you will see a systematic dehumanization prior to violence.  Several years ago, I wrote elsewhere describing the process needed for justified killing of a group of people:

     1, A Divisive and Dehumanizing Ideology: In our case, the pervasive perception, amplified by media, that African Americans are less intelligent, lazy, violent, sexually promiscuous,irresponsible, and unambitious.
     2. A Corrupted and Co-opted Theology: The historical context of racial perception in the United States is formed by powerful narratives and civil myths that gave European Americans a divine mandate to subjugate people of color.  These myths were often co-opted from the Judeo-Christian traditions and not only supported by religious institutions, but often designed and developed there as well.
    3. A Scarcity Economy: The dynamics of oppression are often under-girded by economic crisis.  Unemployment, poverty, under-education have colluded to lead to a permanent underclass in Ferguson, Mo.

     W.E.B. DuBois described a phenomena at the turn of the 20th century where African Americans saw themselves through a "double consciousness".  The understood themselves through the eyes of Whites at the time.  The effect of that identification is both tragic and traumatic.  Over 100 years later, we still the same process, sanitized through color-blind terms.

     I am not saying that all or even most law enforcement officials are racists.  I am  not saying that all African Americans are of good character.  What I am saying is that there are racially-oppressive systemic processes and structures in which some law enforcement officials are participating.  The statistics bear this out.

    I believe that this is a great opportunity to make change and bring awareness.  A couple of thoughts:

A. Diversify law enforcement to reflect its community: Only 6% of the Ferguson Police is Black while nearly 70% of its residents are.  Mirroring the population serves to increase the force's understanding of the culture within the community and often neutralize the antagonism of the community towards its law enforcement agencies.

B. Reform the justice system:  The inequity of violence, arrests, and sentences must be reviewed and examined.  Where there is excessive force and violence, there must be accountability.  Where there are disparities in the arrest records, there must leadership put in place to ensure fair and balanced treatment.

C.  Develop Civil Forums: Some of the most hateful and denigrating speech was used in the discussion of Ferguson and the Eric Garner.  There was anger and a tremendous amount of disrespect for everyone involved.  Jonathon Sacks in "The Dignity of Difference" accurately says "The greatest single antidote to violence is conversation."  Not yelling at each other, but genuine conversation. The statement " Rioting is the protest of the unheard", is attributed to MLK Jr.  While I do not condone rioting in anyway, it is understandable for some who simply feel injustice without a voice.  Its my hope the communities of faith could take a lead on these discussion and encourage people from all over to see one another with dignity and respect.

D. Refrain from declaring the heroes and villains in these tragedies.  Everyone loses.  Instead use language that gives dignity to everyone involved and does not make snap judgments. (An aside, a good person can still make poor decisions, and evil people can still do the right thing).  Lets focus more on reconciliation and healing rather than further name-calling and division.

Just my thoughts,

I would love to hear yours,


Pastor M Traylor