My heart goes out to Ferguson, especially because I lived in Normandy and University City. Even though I only spent three years of my life there (2000-2003), I met some incredible people and I learned about white-privilege, first hand. St. Louis is an area that is 60% black, in Normandy, just 5 miles east of Ferguson, I would say it was close to 85% black. Even though St. Louis was the murder capital of the U.S. back then, I didnt fear for my life. I remember trying to jump start a car at the Amoco station off of I-70 in Normandy. These 3 young black men, were stranded. I gave them a ride to Jennings. I felt a human connection and trust with them. I never told my first husband about the deed because he was way too paranoid of St. Louis and he was a very nervous person. I hope those 3 young black men are still alive today and can pass that idea of tolerance and love to those in conflict in Ferguson. St. Louis is a city full of tension, I felt it everyday. I remember some of my black co-workers had difficulty trusting me, they didnt trust white people in general. I understood their mistrust and I never blamed them for it because the signs of inequality were all around me. If you have ever driven in the worst parts of St. Louis or East St. Louis, IL, you will see devastation and self segregation like you have never experienced. However, I have hope.This civil unrest in St. Louis can bear fruits of reconciliation and can bring much needed justice to a social issue that has been largely ignored. To my friends in St. Louis, my heart goes out to you. I hope that some healing can come from this. I also feel hopeful because I live in the whitest part of the U.S. and Utahns are outraged by the injustice, at least my Utah friends are outraged. Reinhold Niebuhr, the author of the Serenity Prayer, once wrote The spirit of contrition is an important ingredient in the sense of justice. If it is powerful enough it may be able to restrain the impulse of vengeance sufficiently to allow a decent justice to emerge. You are in my thoughts and I hope that Americans never forget this week of heartache and that both sides can act in contrition.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 06:05:42 +0000
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