Several months ago, while reading a book by the late Christian theologian, Krister Stendahl, I came across an influential quote that said, “Our vision is more obstructed by what we think we know than by our lack of knowledge.”
It meant, to me, that we often allow our prejudices to become the filter through which we see the world. Our prejudices can become so powerful that we often refuse to see things from different perspectives. I have chosen to embrace that quote as a guiding principle for life. As a result, I continually strive to expand my understanding of the world, not relying on preconceived notions.
As I read a recent commentary by Mr. Terry Garlock (“Coddling Children in Ferguson, Mo.”), I realized that others may benefit by adopting Professor Stendahl’s principle in their lives. Regretfully in the commentary, Mr. Garlock demonstrated his limited vision by relying on deeply held prejudices. I wanted to address a few of his views and hopefully provide a different perspective.
Mr. Garlock suggested that the protests in Ferguson were dominated by childish, violent mobs, led by “young black thugs” whose negative behavior was encouraged by so-called “race hustlers” like Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
He should know that while it is true a small group of provocateurs garnered media attention by using violence and taking advantage of a volatile situation, they DO NOT characterize the movement. To the contrary, the majority of protestors demonstrated peacefully while speaking out against violence. The call for restraint went out to the provocateurs AND to the police who also escalated tensions with their military-like response.
Unfortunately, even civil rights activists decades ago had to deal with violent provocateurs. However, we were best served, as a nation, by not letting negativity distract from their message of peace, justice, and equality before the law. Likewise, we should listen to the message emanating from Ferguson.
The community seeks to end what it perceives to be unfair treatment at the hands of their police department. The community feels that its members’ civil rights are being violated frequently and with impunity. Anger and resentment toward local law enforcement has likely built up over many years for this reason. The Michael Brown shooting was merely the spark that ignited a powder keg.
Mr. Garlock also implied that when being unfairly treated, we should wait passively for law enforcement and the justice system to “do its job.”
He should know that establishment politicians and proponents of racial segregation broadcasted this message loudly during the height of the civil rights struggle in hopes of enforcing the status quo. Power typically does not like to be challenged.
Police brutality, racial profiling, and increasing militarization of police departments around the country are real problems that need our immediate attention. It is naive to assume that these issues are best resolved by shutting our mouths, minding our own business, and waiting quietly for the system to balance itself. The reality is that sometimes we need to speak up. That idea is not controversial.
Like many other groups, the Ferguson community deserves to have its voice heard without being marginalized or dismissed as childish thugs. Anyone truly interested in protecting the rights of American citizens should pay close attention to what the protestors are actually saying in Ferguson. Our focus should be on a fair resolution, not on demonizing the protestors.
Lastly, Mr. Garlock assumed that members of the black community will not listen to him because he is white.
Maybe members of the black community refuse to listen to his views not because he is white, but because he is unnecessarily arrogant, paternalistic, and condescending. Perhaps the black community would respond more favorably if it felt it was being addressed respectfully.
It is interesting that Mr. Garlock did not discuss what lessons he would impart to his hypothetical white son, but felt free to lecture black parents on what they should teach their children.
The fact that he can so confidently instruct his hypothetical black son not to dress, speak or act like a “thug” means he has a preconceived image in his mind.
The problem is that he has no right to define for an entire community how it should behave or look. Furthermore, no one deserves to be mistreated simply because he or she doesn’t measure up to Mr. Garlock’s standard.
By judging people on these superficialities, he opens the door to the very same profiling and discrimination that people have been fighting for generations. Our world is much too complicated for his narrow-minded way of thinking.
The more we stop relying on our own prejudices, the easier it will be to develop effective solutions to our problems. We must eliminate meaningless words from our vocabulary such as “race hustler,” “young black thugs,” or “bleeding heart,” because they only serve to alienate people, build resentment and stifle debate.
In order for us to have an honest and open dialogue, we must be willing to accept that our vision is often obstructed by our own prejudices. We must strive to be humble and open-minded when pondering these issues. We should put aside our contempt for different perspectives and ask questions with the sincere goal of trying to understand.
These are the only ways in which we can progress as a society.
Anthony Coleman
Peachtree City, Ga.
