The Flip Side of - Under Our Skin
The View from the Middle
Almost immediately after the grand
jury in Ferguson, Missouri announced its decision not to indict officer Darren
Wilson, Benjamin Watson, a professional football player and a black man, sent out
an expression of his emotions through Facebook.
His post was thoughtful, honest and dispassionate, which caused it to go
viral overnight. He has recently written
a book called Under Our Skin which develops those feelings more fully,
and which I highly recommend.
I did find, however, that while I
experienced the same emotions, I did so for very different reasons. After all, I am a 63-year-old white guy, and
have lived a different life from Mr. Watson.
I’m hoping that this view of the same circumstance, but from a different
perspective will only serve to enhance Mr. Watson’s message.
Now, before you read on, take your
mind back to the riots and looting that took place in Ferguson. Remember “hands up, don’t shoot” and the deep
division of opinion and even testimony in the wake of Michael Brown’s
death. Now, here are the feelings that I
experienced at that volatile moment.
I’m Angry – The evidence seemed clear. Michael Brown was a huge young man and a thug
who threatened a storeowner, stole some Tiparillos and then walked down the
middle of the street, asking for confrontation.
It was also evident that Michael Brown attacked Darren Wilson in his car
and turned on him after the chase with the intent of assaulting him. Michael was 6’ 4” and weighed nearly 300
pounds. I probably would have shot him
myself.
I’m Frustrated – We finally have a black President, and
while I didn’t vote for him, my hope was that he would have a positive effect
on race relations in this county. But up
to this point, I feel they have gotten worse.
I’m Fearful – Even though I’m very sympathetic to the plight
of the black community in America, I fear I will be seen only for the color of
my skin and my opinion will be marginalized or I could possibly even be physically
assaulted.
I’m Embarrassed – I know that there are prejudiced people in
America who are either ignorant of our country’s history or just don’t
care. I’ve heard the off color jokes and
bigoted statements and sometimes I’ve even responded to them with silence,
which isn’t enough. I like to think that
I’m as unbiased as possible, but if I’m the high side for whites in America, I
understand the frustration of the Black Community.
I’m Sad – A young man is dead and another young man’s life
will forever be in shambles. There are
no winners here. As I watch the looting
and destruction I can almost “feel” the widening of racial divide in this
country. My heart also goes out to the
shop owners who are innocent victims of the carnage.
I’m Sympathetic – I’m acutely aware of the intentional and
systematic destruction of the black family for over 200 years in America. I’ve read the history of subjugation and the
denial of education (the great liberator) to blacks in this country. Given this deliberate suppression, I’m
actually surprised at the recovery the black community has made.
I’m Offended – Because of the color of my skin I’ve been
labeled a racist by some and blamed for an inhuman practice that ended 150
years ago. Because of the color of my
skin I’ve been condemned for racial sins since abolition that I did not commit.
I’m Confused – I don’t understand why so many young black men
resist arrest. How do they think these
confrontations will end?
I’m Introspective – I understand that while I may be
sympathetic, I have lived a very different life than the majority of black
Americans. Since I don’t carry the same
baggage as they do, the answers to this issue seem oh-so apparent to me.
I’m Hopeless – I see the black community in America continue
to suffer from the same depravation instituted by slavery. Over 70% of black children are born out of
wedlock. More black boys drop out of
high school and fewer young black men attend college even though I know that education
is the key to equality and success in America.
I’m Hopeful – Because I’ve seen the country change for the
better in my 63 years. I’ve seen great
role models like Martin Luther King, Condoleezza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Colin
Powell and Dr. Ben Carson who have risen to the highest levels of influence in
America. I’ve seen racial attitudes
change from generation to generation, and I see the innocence of our young people
as many of them face the world today from a colorblind perspective.
I’m Encouraged – As I stated earlier, I have seen so much progress
in my life that I have to be encouraged.
I continue to see more and more positive role models for young black men
and women, now to include Benjamin Watson.
If our current President or the next has any intelligence at all, they
will bring Mr. Watson into public service as “Racial Unity Czar” or something
to that effect. I have long said that
empathy from whites and forgiveness from blacks will be needed to eventually
resolve racism in America, and I think Mr. Watson might agree with that.
I must also agree with Mr. Watson
that the real change needed is a “heart” change, and the source of that metamorphosis
is Jesus Christ. Through Him all things are possible, even
racial unity.
If you have not read Benjamin
Watson’s original Facebook post, fear not.
Just buy his book, Under Our Skin. That post appears in the introduction. We can only hope that his book goes as “viral”
as his Facebook post did.