[Applause] I am a lawyer political scientist and a
I am a lawyer political scientist and a
I am a lawyer political scientist and a mediator and what I want to talk to you
mediator and what I want to talk to you
mediator and what I want to talk to you tonight is I want to talk to you about
tonight is I want to talk to you about
tonight is I want to talk to you about racial reconciliation and we’re going to
racial reconciliation and we’re going to
racial reconciliation and we’re going to focus mostly on black/white relations
focus mostly on black/white relations
focus mostly on black/white relations here in the context of the United States
here in the context of the United States
here in the context of the United States but much of what follows can be applied
but much of what follows can be applied
but much of what follows can be applied more broadly as well issues of race in
more broadly as well issues of race in
more broadly as well issues of race in the u.s. can be so difficult to think
the u.s. can be so difficult to think
the u.s. can be so difficult to think because in any given exchange there is a
because in any given exchange there is a
because in any given exchange there is a reality that we observe on the surface
reality that we observe on the surface
reality that we observe on the surface and there’s a dense substratum of
and there’s a dense substratum of
and there’s a dense substratum of meaning and insecurity that that is
meaning and insecurity that that is
meaning and insecurity that that is really lodged beneath that surface all
really lodged beneath that surface all
really lodged beneath that surface all right so what I want to do today is I
right so what I want to do today is I
right so what I want to do today is I want to tell a simple story first we’re
want to tell a simple story first we’re
want to tell a simple story first we’re going to focus solely on surface level
going to focus solely on surface level
going to focus solely on surface level detail I know we’re going to take a
detail I know we’re going to take a
detail I know we’re going to take a moment and step back and domini that
moment and step back and domini that
moment and step back and domini that surface and look at the meaning social
surface and look at the meaning social
surface and look at the meaning social historical meaning that lay beneath that
historical meaning that lay beneath that
historical meaning that lay beneath that surface and finally we want to talk
surface and finally we want to talk
surface and finally we want to talk about some of the ways
about some of the ways
about some of the ways standing that substratum of being can
standing that substratum of being can
standing that substratum of being can help us engage one another in more
help us engage one another in more
help us engage one another in more productive ways all right so let’s start
productive ways all right so let’s start
productive ways all right so let’s start off by talking about a guy named skip
off by talking about a guy named skip
off by talking about a guy named skip now imagine your skip and you were on at
now imagine your skip and you were on at
now imagine your skip and you were on at home one day you arrived home early from
home one day you arrived home early from
home one day you arrived home early from a work trip you you cut your trip short
a work trip you you cut your trip short
a work trip you you cut your trip short because of illness
because of illness
because of illness so you’re sick you’re tired from your
so you’re sick you’re tired from your
so you’re sick you’re tired from your travels you get to your front door of
travels you get to your front door of
travels you get to your front door of your home and the door is stuck so you
your home and the door is stuck so you
your home and the door is stuck so you have to shoulder your way so you’re you
have to shoulder your way so you’re you
have to shoulder your way so you’re you sick you’re tired you have to force your
sick you’re tired you have to force your
sick you’re tired you have to force your way into your home shortly after you
way into your home shortly after you
way into your home shortly after you arrive at the lease arrive
arrive at the lease arrive
arrive at the lease arrive now the police are in your home and they
now the police are in your home and they
now the police are in your home and they say they’re investigating a burglary and
say they’re investigating a burglary and
say they’re investigating a burglary and they want you to show them some
they want you to show them some
they want you to show them some identification and verify that you’re
identification and verify that you’re
identification and verify that you’re the rightful occupant of that Club now
the rightful occupant of that Club now
the rightful occupant of that Club now recall you’re sick you’re tired you have
recall you’re sick you’re tired you have
recall you’re sick you’re tired you have to force your way into your own home and
to force your way into your own home and
to force your way into your own home and now you haven’t to justify your
now you haven’t to justify your
now you haven’t to justify your existence there in your own home the
existence there in your own home the
existence there in your own home the police are there and they want you to
police are there and they want you to
police are there and they want you to prove that you’re not a burglar you are
prove that you’re not a burglar you are
prove that you’re not a burglar you are livid in fact you decide to let the
livid in fact you decide to let the
livid in fact you decide to let the police officer have it you hurl insults
police officer have it you hurl insults
police officer have it you hurl insults at the police officer you insult a
at the police officer you insult a
at the police officer you insult a police officer so much that the officer
police officer so much that the officer
police officer so much that the officer eventually arrest you right there on the
eventually arrest you right there on the
eventually arrest you right there on the front steps of your home the charge is
front steps of your home the charge is
front steps of your home the charge is disorderly conduct now back up just a
disorderly conduct now back up just a
disorderly conduct now back up just a moment and imagine your name is Jimmy
moment and imagine your name is Jimmy
moment and imagine your name is Jimmy you’re an officer on patrol you’re
you’re an officer on patrol you’re
you’re an officer on patrol you’re driving down the street and a call comes
driving down the street and a call comes
driving down the street and a call comes on or dispatch that
on or dispatch that
on or dispatch that suspected burglary in the neighborhood
suspected burglary in the neighborhood
suspected burglary in the neighborhood now you’re nearby so you respond you’re
now you’re nearby so you respond you’re
now you’re nearby so you respond you’re just doing your job when you’re on the
just doing your job when you’re on the
just doing your job when you’re on the scene you encounter remain that you
scene you encounter remain that you
scene you encounter remain that you suspect is a rightful occupants of the
suspect is a rightful occupants of the
suspect is a rightful occupants of the dwelling but doing your due diligence
dwelling but doing your due diligence
dwelling but doing your due diligence you tell the men at the home that you
you tell the men at the home that you
you tell the men at the home that you need to see his identification you need
need to see his identification you need
need to see his identification you need to verify that he’s a rifle occupant of
to verify that he’s a rifle occupant of
to verify that he’s a rifle occupant of the dwelling
the dwelling
the dwelling he’s reluctant to comply in fact he
he’s reluctant to comply in fact he
he’s reluctant to comply in fact he starts hurling insults at you in fact
starts hurling insults at you in fact
starts hurling insults at you in fact even though he ultimately shows you is
even though he ultimately shows you is
even though he ultimately shows you is identification you decide that you don’t
identification you decide that you don’t
identification you decide that you don’t have to take this with disrespect you
have to take this with disrespect you
have to take this with disrespect you arrest him anyway you arrest him right
arrest him anyway you arrest him right
arrest him anyway you arrest him right there on the front steps of his home ok
there on the front steps of his home ok
there on the front steps of his home ok now I think we can all understand the
now I think we can all understand the
now I think we can all understand the the basic facts of this situation but it
the basic facts of this situation but it
the basic facts of this situation but it gets a little bit more complicated see
gets a little bit more complicated see
gets a little bit more complicated see skip is known to skip among his friends
skip is known to skip among his friends
skip is known to skip among his friends when he’s actually dr. Henry Louis Gates
when he’s actually dr. Henry Louis Gates
when he’s actually dr. Henry Louis Gates a african-american professor of history
a african-american professor of history
a african-american professor of history at Harvard University go Harvard right
at Harvard University go Harvard right
at Harvard University go Harvard right and and skip is is is the man involved
and and skip is is is the man involved
and and skip is is is the man involved in this situation a citizen involved in
in this situation a citizen involved in
in this situation a citizen involved in this situation and Jim here is a police
this situation and Jim here is a police
this situation and Jim here is a police officer with the Cambridge Massachusetts
officer with the Cambridge Massachusetts
officer with the Cambridge Massachusetts Police Department he is sergeant James
Police Department he is sergeant James
Police Department he is sergeant James proud of the police department and this
proud of the police department and this
proud of the police department and this incident made national news in the
incident made national news in the
incident made national news in the summer of 2009 and dr. gates was
summer of 2009 and dr. gates was
summer of 2009 and dr. gates was arrested by sergeant fry on the front
arrested by sergeant fry on the front
arrested by sergeant fry on the front steps of his home
steps of his home
steps of his home even though he was there in his own and
even though he was there in his own and
even though he was there in his own and on a very vague and nebulous charge of
on a very vague and nebulous charge of
on a very vague and nebulous charge of disorderly conduct this became the first
disorderly conduct this became the first
disorderly conduct this became the first real test of the so-called post-racial
real test of the so-called post-racial
real test of the so-called post-racial America and the early Obama
America and the early Obama
America and the early Obama administration in fact President Obama
administration in fact President Obama
administration in fact President Obama had dr. gates and sergeant Crowley to
had dr. gates and sergeant Crowley to
had dr. gates and sergeant Crowley to the White House for beer and what we
the White House for beer and what we
the White House for beer and what we came knowing czar Peter summit so there
came knowing czar Peter summit so there
came knowing czar Peter summit so there they are having a beer together they
they are having a beer together they
they are having a beer together they don’t they still don’t look very happy
now what’s you you know one level on a
now what’s you you know one level on a surface level you can think that this
surface level you can think that this
surface level you can think that this incident is a good opportunity to talk
incident is a good opportunity to talk
incident is a good opportunity to talk about where the appropriate boundary is
about where the appropriate boundary is
about where the appropriate boundary is between the citizen I exercising their
between the citizen I exercising their
between the citizen I exercising their free their rights even even it rights to
free their rights even even it rights to
free their rights even even it rights to be rude in certain instances and in law
be rude in certain instances and in law
be rude in certain instances and in law enforcement officials ability to
enforcement officials ability to
enforcement officials ability to investigate crime and keep the peace and
investigate crime and keep the peace and
investigate crime and keep the peace and on one level that is certainly an
on one level that is certainly an
on one level that is certainly an important conversation to be had on
important conversation to be had on
important conversation to be had on another level power we might wonder why
another level power we might wonder why
another level power we might wonder why was it that nothing was so upset why did
was it that nothing was so upset why did
was it that nothing was so upset why did he feel obliged to to hurl insults at a
he feel obliged to to hurl insults at a
he feel obliged to to hurl insults at a police officer on the other hand we
police officer on the other hand we
police officer on the other hand we might also wonder why sergeant probably
might also wonder why sergeant probably
might also wonder why sergeant probably why the insults were able to get so
why the insults were able to get so
why the insults were able to get so under his skin that you made an arrest
under his skin that you made an arrest
under his skin that you made an arrest even though he had already there
even though he had already there
even though he had already there dr. Kayson was the rightful occupant as
dr. Kayson was the rightful occupant as
dr. Kayson was the rightful occupant as well in order to understand why some of
well in order to understand why some of
well in order to understand why some of these racial exchanges can be so
these racial exchanges can be so
these racial exchanges can be so difficult we might want to consider the
difficult we might want to consider the
difficult we might want to consider the the substratum of insecurity both black
the substratum of insecurity both black
the substratum of insecurity both black insecurity and white insecurity and
insecurity and white insecurity and
insecurity and white insecurity and let’s say some things about the nature
let’s say some things about the nature
let’s say some things about the nature of black insecurity this is an excerpt
of black insecurity this is an excerpt
of black insecurity this is an excerpt from remarks made by Senator James Henry
from remarks made by Senator James Henry
from remarks made by Senator James Henry Hammond before the US Senate and 1858
Hammond before the US Senate and 1858
Hammond before the US Senate and 1858 and look at some of the things he says
and look at some of the things he says
and look at some of the things he says here he says we do not think that whites
here he says we do not think that whites
here he says we do not think that whites should be slaves either by law or
should be slaves either by law or
should be slaves either by law or necessity our slaves are black of
necessity our slaves are black of
necessity our slaves are black of another and inferior race the status in
another and inferior race the status in
another and inferior race the status in which we have placed them is an
which we have placed them is an
which we have placed them is an elevation they are elevated from the
elevation they are elevated from the
elevation they are elevated from the condition which God first created them
condition which God first created them
condition which God first created them by they made our slaves
by they made our slaves
by they made our slaves none of that race on the whole face of
none of that race on the whole face of
none of that race on the whole face of the globe can be compared for the slaves
the globe can be compared for the slaves
the globe can be compared for the slaves of the south they are happy content on
of the south they are happy content on
of the south they are happy content on aspiring and utterly incapable from
aspiring and utterly incapable from
aspiring and utterly incapable from intellectual weakness ever to give us
intellectual weakness ever to give us
intellectual weakness ever to give us any trouble by their aspirations so it
any trouble by their aspirations so it
any trouble by their aspirations so it remarks me before the US Senate we have
remarks me before the US Senate we have
remarks me before the US Senate we have senator from South Carolina here saying
senator from South Carolina here saying
senator from South Carolina here saying blacks of money we’re in nature inferior
blacks of money we’re in nature inferior
blacks of money we’re in nature inferior so much so in fact that for them to be
so much so in fact that for them to be
so much so in fact that for them to be the slaves of whites is an elevation for
the slaves of whites is an elevation for
the slaves of whites is an elevation for them consider just a few years later
them consider just a few years later
them consider just a few years later South Carolina and what eventually
South Carolina and what eventually
South Carolina and what eventually the civil war decides to withdraw from
the civil war decides to withdraw from
the civil war decides to withdraw from the Union and South Carolina makes it
the Union and South Carolina makes it
the Union and South Carolina makes it very clear in their declaration of
very clear in their declaration of
very clear in their declaration of secession why it is that were drawn from
secession why it is that were drawn from
secession why it is that were drawn from you they say we feel as though the
you they say we feel as though the
you they say we feel as though the Constitution was a contract in which the
Constitution was a contract in which the
Constitution was a contract in which the most important clause was the one where
most important clause was the one where
most important clause was the one where we get to keep our property and slaves
we get to keep our property and slaves
we get to keep our property and slaves and the non-slaveholding states will
and the non-slaveholding states will
and the non-slaveholding states will leave us alone they go on to say these
leave us alone they go on to say these
leave us alone they go on to say these ends these ends and endeavour to
ends these ends and endeavour to
ends these ends and endeavour to accomplish by a federal government in
accomplish by a federal government in
accomplish by a federal government in which each state has separate control
which each state has separate control
which each state has separate control over its own institutions the right of
over its own institutions the right of
over its own institutions the right of property and slaves was recognized by
property and slaves was recognized by
property and slaves was recognized by giving to free persons distinct
giving to free persons distinct
giving to free persons distinct political rights by giving them the
political rights by giving them the
political rights by giving them the right to represent and by stipulating
right to represent and by stipulating
right to represent and by stipulating for the rendition of fugitives from Lake
for the rendition of fugitives from Lake
for the rendition of fugitives from Lake in other words what the Constitution is
in other words what the Constitution is
in other words what the Constitution is really all about from the perspective of
really all about from the perspective of
really all about from the perspective of the South Carolina here is it’s about
the South Carolina here is it’s about
the South Carolina here is it’s about returning returning fugitive slaves even
returning returning fugitive slaves even
returning returning fugitive slaves even if they make their way into
if they make their way into
if they make their way into non-slaveholding territory South
non-slaveholding territory South
non-slaveholding territory South Carolina goes on to say the in ins from
Carolina goes on to say the in ins from
Carolina goes on to say the in ins from which this government was instituted
which this government was instituted
which this government was instituted have been defeated and the government
have been defeated and the government
have been defeated and the government itself has been made destructive of them
itself has been made destructive of them
itself has been made destructive of them non-slaveholding states those states
non-slaveholding states those states
non-slaveholding states those states have denounced as sinful the institution
have denounced as sinful the institution
have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery
of slavery
of slavery they’ve permitted open establishment
they’ve permitted open establishment
they’ve permitted open establishment among them of societies whose avowed
among them of societies whose avowed
among them of societies whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to
object is to disturb the peace and to
object is to disturb the peace and to align the property of the citizens of
align the property of the citizens of
align the property of the citizens of other states as far as South Carolina is
other states as far as South Carolina is
other states as far as South Carolina is concerned in this declaration the real
concerned in this declaration the real
concerned in this declaration the real problem is that slaves are not only
problem is that slaves are not only
problem is that slaves are not only naturally inferior but that the whole
naturally inferior but that the whole
naturally inferior but that the whole constitutional order that we establish
constitutional order that we establish
constitutional order that we establish under the Constitution and the main
under the Constitution and the main
under the Constitution and the main design as far as South Carolina is
design as far as South Carolina is
design as far as South Carolina is concerned is to keep the slaves just
concerned is to keep the slaves just
concerned is to keep the slaves just that enslaved South Carolina feels
that enslaved South Carolina feels
that enslaved South Carolina feels strongly enough of value that they go on
strongly enough of value that they go on
strongly enough of value that they go on to say we therefore the people of South
to say we therefore the people of South
to say we therefore the people of South Carolina buy our delegates and
Carolina buy our delegates and
Carolina buy our delegates and convention assembled appealing to the
convention assembled appealing to the
convention assembled appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the
supreme judge of the world for the
supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions have
rectitude of our intentions have
rectitude of our intentions have solemnly declared that the Union
solemnly declared that the Union
solemnly declared that the Union heretofore existing between this state
heretofore existing between this state
heretofore existing between this state and other states of North America is
and other states of North America is
and other states of North America is dissolved this is an important enough
dissolved this is an important enough
dissolved this is an important enough issue that it needs to lead to the
issue that it needs to lead to the
issue that it needs to lead to the dissolution of a Union rather than to
dissolution of a Union rather than to
dissolution of a Union rather than to relinquish the slaves in fact they
relinquish the slaves in fact they
relinquish the slaves in fact they appeal to the supreme judge of the world
appeal to the supreme judge of the world
appeal to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions
for the rectitude of their intentions
for the rectitude of their intentions this is good and right as far as South
this is good and right as far as South
this is good and right as far as South Carolina concern so notice that even a
Carolina concern so notice that even a
Carolina concern so notice that even a hundred years after the Civil War we as
hundred years after the Civil War we as
hundred years after the Civil War we as we might imagine it is not the case that
we might imagine it is not the case that
we might imagine it is not the case that simply because the law has changed in
simply because the law has changed in
simply because the law has changed in slaves and slave persons are now legally
slaves and slave persons are now legally
slaves and slave persons are now legally free and now elevated to co-equal legal
free and now elevated to co-equal legal
free and now elevated to co-equal legal status with
status with
status with majority of white population it is not
majority of white population it is not
majority of white population it is not the case that that many of these folks
the case that that many of these folks
the case that that many of these folks who believe in the rectitude of their
who believe in the rectitude of their
who believe in the rectitude of their intentions just just accept the new
intentions just just accept the new
intentions just just accept the new reality and go and start treating black
reality and go and start treating black
reality and go and start treating black Americans as co-equal partners in its
Americans as co-equal partners in its
Americans as co-equal partners in its great country I know you might imagine
great country I know you might imagine
great country I know you might imagine that there’s a lot of bitter resentment
that there’s a lot of bitter resentment
that there’s a lot of bitter resentment you might imagine that going forward
you might imagine that going forward
you might imagine that going forward there’s a sort of resentment that is
there’s a sort of resentment that is
there’s a sort of resentment that is created from the idea that you can
created from the idea that you can
created from the idea that you can elevate in legal terms those whom we
elevate in legal terms those whom we
elevate in legal terms those whom we regard as our rightful our natural
regard as our rightful our natural
regard as our rightful our natural inferiors and so for generations
inferiors and so for generations
inferiors and so for generations following the Civil War you still see
following the Civil War you still see
following the Civil War you still see that this resentment manifests itself in
that this resentment manifests itself in
that this resentment manifests itself in different ways and you still see both
different ways and you still see both
different ways and you still see both law and custom both conspiring to keep
law and custom both conspiring to keep
law and custom both conspiring to keep the previously enslaved persons in their
the previously enslaved persons in their
the previously enslaved persons in their and their children in their rightful
and their children in their rightful
and their children in their rightful place and you might imagine what this
place and you might imagine what this
place and you might imagine what this sort of sentiment does to the black
sort of sentiment does to the black
sort of sentiment does to the black population consider what that does of
population consider what that does of
population consider what that does of that population over subsequent
that population over subsequent
that population over subsequent generations here is an excerpt from WB
generations here is an excerpt from WB
generations here is an excerpt from WB Dubois 1903 book where he recalls an
Dubois 1903 book where he recalls an
Dubois 1903 book where he recalls an early childhood experience where some of
early childhood experience where some of
early childhood experience where some of his playmates some of his white
his playmates some of his white
his playmates some of his white playmates first make him aware of the
playmates first make him aware of the
playmates first make him aware of the fact that he’s different and that he’s
fact that he’s different and that he’s
fact that he’s different and that he’s regarded as somehow other and and
regarded as somehow other and and
regarded as somehow other and and inferior to me he says then it dawned
inferior to me he says then it dawned
inferior to me he says then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I
upon me with a certain suddenness that I
upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others or like
was different from the others or like
was different from the others or like they have in heart and life and longing
they have in heart and life and longing
they have in heart and life and longing but shut up and there were
but shut up and there were
but shut up and there were by a fascinating okay and we might
by a fascinating okay and we might
by a fascinating okay and we might wonder what effect that that has on on
wonder what effect that that has on on
wonder what effect that that has on on the psyche of a person but what effect
the psyche of a person but what effect
the psyche of a person but what effect does this have them on for lack of a
does this have them on for lack of a
does this have them on for lack of a better term the black American psyche
better term the black American psyche
better term the black American psyche well Du Bois tells us he says I had
well Du Bois tells us he says I had
well Du Bois tells us he says I had thereafter no desire to tear down that
thereafter no desire to tear down that
thereafter no desire to tear down that favor to creep through rather I held all
favor to creep through rather I held all
favor to creep through rather I held all beyond it and a common contempt I think
beyond it and a common contempt I think
beyond it and a common contempt I think we can I think we can imagine what it’s
we can I think we can imagine what it’s
we can I think we can imagine what it’s like to experience rejection and the
like to experience rejection and the
like to experience rejection and the natural human response to rejection we
natural human response to rejection we
natural human response to rejection we often want to reject those who have
often want to reject those who have
often want to reject those who have rejected us with equal or greater force
rejected us with equal or greater force
rejected us with equal or greater force and that which they rejected us when
and that which they rejected us when
and that which they rejected us when someone says we don’t want you a part of
someone says we don’t want you a part of
someone says we don’t want you a part of our group we we we feel as though you
our group we we we feel as though you
our group we we we feel as though you are not worthy to be a part of our group
are not worthy to be a part of our group
are not worthy to be a part of our group sometimes our response is to say well I
sometimes our response is to say well I
sometimes our response is to say well I don’t want to be a part of your group in
don’t want to be a part of your group in
don’t want to be a part of your group in fact maybe I will do all sorts of things
fact maybe I will do all sorts of things
fact maybe I will do all sorts of things that indicate that I don’t want to be a
that indicate that I don’t want to be a
that indicate that I don’t want to be a part of you right maybe in many
part of you right maybe in many
part of you right maybe in many different wings and adopting different
different wings and adopting different
different wings and adopting different patterns of speech patterns and dress
patterns of speech patterns and dress
patterns of speech patterns and dress patterns of behavior maybe I want to
patterns of behavior maybe I want to
patterns of behavior maybe I want to indicate that there is no way on the
indicate that there is no way on the
indicate that there is no way on the face of this planet that I want to
face of this planet that I want to
face of this planet that I want to belong with you imagine this sense
belong with you imagine this sense
belong with you imagine this sense in a sense of wine it’s a it’s a
in a sense of wine it’s a it’s a
in a sense of wine it’s a it’s a humiliation to be rejected its yet a
humiliation to be rejected its yet a
humiliation to be rejected its yet a further humiliation to long for or to
further humiliation to long for or to
further humiliation to long for or to appear too long for acceptance in a
appear too long for acceptance in a
appear too long for acceptance in a group that has rejected you
so black insecurity might be somewhat
so black insecurity might be somewhat easy to understand might be easier to
easy to understand might be easier to
easy to understand might be easier to understand than the nature of light and
understand than the nature of light and
understand than the nature of light and security we might say we might say white
security we might say we might say white
security we might say we might say white white Americans are the imputed masters
white Americans are the imputed masters
white Americans are the imputed masters of the Western world what do they have
of the Western world what do they have
of the Western world what do they have to be insecure but therein
to be insecure but therein
to be insecure but therein I think lay some of the issue as imputed
I think lay some of the issue as imputed
I think lay some of the issue as imputed masters of the Western world in any
masters of the Western world in any
masters of the Western world in any criticism that we have of the west and
criticism that we have of the west and
criticism that we have of the west and of America in particular become
of America in particular become
of America in particular become criticisms of the white majority
criticisms of the white majority
criticisms of the white majority population consider the feminist
population consider the feminist
population consider the feminist movement which at its heart says that
movement which at its heart says that
movement which at its heart says that men are not the measure of all things
men are not the measure of all things
men are not the measure of all things and many abuses have been suffered by
and many abuses have been suffered by
and many abuses have been suffered by women at the hands of men consider the
women at the hands of men consider the
women at the hands of men consider the anti-war which says at his heart that
anti-war which says at his heart that
anti-war which says at his heart that perhaps the projection of American force
perhaps the projection of American force
perhaps the projection of American force abroad has not been a force primarily
abroad has not been a force primarily
abroad has not been a force primarily for good perhaps it’s been destructive
for good perhaps it’s been destructive
for good perhaps it’s been destructive and abusive or absolutely abused the
and abusive or absolutely abused the
and abusive or absolutely abused the world in a projection of our power
world in a projection of our power
world in a projection of our power consider the environmental movement
consider the environmental movement
consider the environmental movement which says that much of our allowed in
which says that much of our allowed in
which says that much of our allowed in economic
economic
economic growth may have come at the expense of
growth may have come at the expense of
growth may have come at the expense of our environment maybe we’ve degraded the
our environment maybe we’ve degraded the
our environment maybe we’ve degraded the the planet so we’ve abused not only the
the planet so we’ve abused not only the
the planet so we’ve abused not only the maybe the peoples of the world of the
maybe the peoples of the world of the
maybe the peoples of the world of the planet itself and of course consider the
planet itself and of course consider the
planet itself and of course consider the civil rights movement which at is core
civil rights movement which at is core
civil rights movement which at is core if you think about some of the speeches
if you think about some of the speeches
if you think about some of the speeches of Martin Luther King for example think
of Martin Luther King for example think
of Martin Luther King for example think about the I have a dream speech where he
about the I have a dream speech where he
about the I have a dream speech where he makes reference to the Declaration of
makes reference to the Declaration of
makes reference to the Declaration of Independence and those promises of
Independence and those promises of
Independence and those promises of freedom and justice and equality and say
freedom and justice and equality and say
freedom and justice and equality and say how he attempts to shame the nation to
how he attempts to shame the nation to
how he attempts to shame the nation to live up to some of his highest
live up to some of his highest
live up to some of his highest aspirations notice what each of these
aspirations notice what each of these
aspirations notice what each of these movements have in common is that over
movements have in common is that over
movements have in common is that over the last several generations what
the last several generations what
the last several generations what they’ve done is they launched a
they’ve done is they launched a
they’ve done is they launched a fundamental critique of American culture
fundamental critique of American culture
fundamental critique of American culture of our society and they said maybe some
of our society and they said maybe some
of our society and they said maybe some of that American self confidence is
of that American self confidence is
of that American self confidence is misplaced maybe we are not so great as
misplaced maybe we are not so great as
misplaced maybe we are not so great as we think we are you think that might
we think we are you think that might
we think we are you think that might make the masters of this society feel a
make the masters of this society feel a
make the masters of this society feel a little bit insecure
little bit insecure
little bit insecure perhaps here’s a notable recent example
perhaps here’s a notable recent example
perhaps here’s a notable recent example colin kaepernick decided to protest the
colin kaepernick decided to protest the
colin kaepernick decided to protest the treatment of blacks at the hands of
treatment of blacks at the hands of
treatment of blacks at the hands of police officers by kneeling and refusing
police officers by kneeling and refusing
police officers by kneeling and refusing to render honor to either the emir
to render honor to either the emir
to render honor to either the emir or the national anthem and he said he
or the national anthem and he said he
or the national anthem and he said he will refuse to do so until such time as
will refuse to do so until such time as
will refuse to do so until such time as justice has been done and the issue he
justice has been done and the issue he
justice has been done and the issue he wants to bring awareness to and think
wants to bring awareness to and think
wants to bring awareness to and think about the National Dialogue much of a
about the National Dialogue much of a
about the National Dialogue much of a name that was sparked by this particular
name that was sparked by this particular
name that was sparked by this particular action Colin perhaps tapped into this
action Colin perhaps tapped into this
action Colin perhaps tapped into this sentiment pollution disgusting according
sentiment pollution disgusting according
sentiment pollution disgusting according to black Twitter and I call it black
to black Twitter and I call it black
to black Twitter and I call it black Twitter because that’s what they refer
Twitter because that’s what they refer
Twitter because that’s what they refer to themselves as by the way black songs
to themselves as by the way black songs
to themselves as by the way black songs about black struggle black culture or
about black struggle black culture or
about black struggle black culture or black features should be off-limits to
black features should be off-limits to
black features should be off-limits to the melanin deprived wait what now songs
the melanin deprived wait what now songs
the melanin deprived wait what now songs are off-limits too can white people do
are off-limits too can white people do
are off-limits too can white people do anything anymore
anything anymore
anything anymore can white people do anything and of
can white people do anything and of
can white people do anything and of course the remarks these remarks by
course the remarks these remarks by
course the remarks these remarks by Tommy Boy are perhaps easy to laugh at
Tommy Boy are perhaps easy to laugh at
Tommy Boy are perhaps easy to laugh at in a way that she expressed them and yet
in a way that she expressed them and yet
in a way that she expressed them and yet the sentiment is something that is very
the sentiment is something that is very
the sentiment is something that is very indicative of what we’re talking about
indicative of what we’re talking about
indicative of what we’re talking about there is a notion among many white
there is a notion among many white
there is a notion among many white Americans of can I do anything can I say
Americans of can I do anything can I say
Americans of can I do anything can I say anything without bringing blame or shame
anything without bringing blame or shame
anything without bringing blame or shame or disrepute upon its own is there
or disrepute upon its own is there
or disrepute upon its own is there anything that I can say and not being
anything that I can say and not being
anything that I can say and not being somehow alive for now we might say that
somehow alive for now we might say that
somehow alive for now we might say that if the nature of black secure insecurity
if the nature of black secure insecurity
if the nature of black secure insecurity and its core is a matter of we might
and its core is a matter of we might
and its core is a matter of we might call it unrealized dignity as yet
call it unrealized dignity as yet
call it unrealized dignity as yet unrealized dignity then we might say the
unrealized dignity then we might say the
unrealized dignity then we might say the nature of white and
nature of white and
nature of white and security may boil down to maybe a lost
security may boil down to maybe a lost
security may boil down to maybe a lost video or a diminished degree and so what
video or a diminished degree and so what
video or a diminished degree and so what I want to call your attention to is you
I want to call your attention to is you
I want to call your attention to is you know as we return back to dr. gates and
know as we return back to dr. gates and
know as we return back to dr. gates and sergeant problem you might consider that
sergeant problem you might consider that
sergeant problem you might consider that both of these men had several
both of these men had several
both of these men had several opportunities when of course of their
opportunities when of course of their
opportunities when of course of their exchange complying to de-escalate the
exchange complying to de-escalate the
exchange complying to de-escalate the situation that either of them at any
situation that either of them at any
situation that either of them at any point in their exchange with one another
point in their exchange with one another
point in their exchange with one another could have taken steps to take some of
could have taken steps to take some of
could have taken steps to take some of the heat out of their exchange and yet
the heat out of their exchange and yet
the heat out of their exchange and yet neither chose to do so and I posit to
neither chose to do so and I posit to
neither chose to do so and I posit to you that perhaps neither chose to do so
you that perhaps neither chose to do so
you that perhaps neither chose to do so because they’re responding to one
because they’re responding to one
because they’re responding to one another out of their competing and to
another out of their competing and to
another out of their competing and to one another their mutually
one another their mutually
one another their mutually incomprehensible insecurities and maybe
incomprehensible insecurities and maybe
incomprehensible insecurities and maybe that made this exchange more volatile
that made this exchange more volatile
that made this exchange more volatile and it otherwise would have been so what
and it otherwise would have been so what
and it otherwise would have been so what can we do to make these situations go
can we do to make these situations go
can we do to make these situations go more smoothly well for one thing we can
more smoothly well for one thing we can
more smoothly well for one thing we can keep in mind we can realize that often
keep in mind we can realize that often
keep in mind we can realize that often exchanges such as this one are made more
exchanges such as this one are made more
exchanges such as this one are made more difficult because of insecurity and we
difficult because of insecurity and we
difficult because of insecurity and we can recognize that the other side is
can recognize that the other side is
can recognize that the other side is responding to us in ways that may appear
responding to us in ways that may appear
responding to us in ways that may appear to us to be hostile but they really are
to us to be hostile but they really are
to us to be hostile but they really are born out of a deeply ingrained
born out of a deeply ingrained
born out of a deeply ingrained insecurity that maybe they themselves
insecurity that maybe they themselves
insecurity that maybe they themselves are not even aware of you see in this
are not even aware of you see in this
are not even aware of you see in this situation dr. gates could not fathom why
situation dr. gates could not fathom why
situation dr. gates could not fathom why this was happening
this was happening
this was happening and it was all too easy for him to think
and it was all too easy for him to think
and it was all too easy for him to think that this was happening because of his
that this was happening because of his
that this was happening because of his race and he called sergeant Crowley a
race and he called sergeant Crowley a
race and he called sergeant Crowley a racist now given all the social
racist now given all the social
racist now given all the social historical baggage we just talked about
historical baggage we just talked about
historical baggage we just talked about a racist is probably one of the worst
a racist is probably one of the worst
a racist is probably one of the worst thing sort of probably can be called and
thing sort of probably can be called and
thing sort of probably can be called and he responded out of that so maybe one of
he responded out of that so maybe one of
he responded out of that so maybe one of the things we should do is keep in mind
the things we should do is keep in mind
the things we should do is keep in mind that what we’re often doing these
that what we’re often doing these
that what we’re often doing these exchanges was responding out of our own
exchanges was responding out of our own
exchanges was responding out of our own insecurities and with them recognize
insecurities and with them recognize
insecurities and with them recognize that we can empathize more open up
that we can empathize more open up
that we can empathize more open up excuse me
excuse me
excuse me the other thing is to keep this in mind
the other thing is to keep this in mind
the other thing is to keep this in mind in our approach one another I’ll give
in our approach one another I’ll give
in our approach one another I’ll give two examples one think about the black
two examples one think about the black
two examples one think about the black lives matter movement and it responds to
lives matter movement and it responds to
lives matter movement and it responds to a parent abuses of blacks in the hands
a parent abuses of blacks in the hands
a parent abuses of blacks in the hands of police we may often hear ring out the
of police we may often hear ring out the
of police we may often hear ring out the assertion black lives matter now we may
assertion black lives matter now we may
assertion black lives matter now we may regard that as a hostile State and we
regard that as a hostile State and we
regard that as a hostile State and we might be inclined to respond with all
might be inclined to respond with all
might be inclined to respond with all lives net but what I want to get you to
lives net but what I want to get you to
lives net but what I want to get you to see is if black lives matter arises out
see is if black lives matter arises out
see is if black lives matter arises out of a deeply ingrained sense that
of a deeply ingrained sense that
of a deeply ingrained sense that black lives are not considered the equal
black lives are not considered the equal
black lives are not considered the equal counterpart to live lives the responding
counterpart to live lives the responding
counterpart to live lives the responding with all lives matter is non responsible
with all lives matter is non responsible
with all lives matter is non responsible it doesn’t come perhaps affirm that yes
it doesn’t come perhaps affirm that yes
it doesn’t come perhaps affirm that yes black lives do matter can be helpful
black lives do matter can be helpful
black lives do matter can be helpful consider also the calling happening
consider also the calling happening
consider also the calling happening protests and we might think that any
protests and we might think that any
protests and we might think that any form of protest is likely to be viewed
form of protest is likely to be viewed
form of protest is likely to be viewed in an offensive man on the other hand if
in an offensive man on the other hand if
in an offensive man on the other hand if we compare politics refusal to render to
we compare politics refusal to render to
we compare politics refusal to render to render our to the flag into the anthem
render our to the flag into the anthem
render our to the flag into the anthem and compare that with dr. King’s
and compare that with dr. King’s
and compare that with dr. King’s positive reference in the Declaration of
positive reference in the Declaration of
positive reference in the Declaration of Independence and the aspirational values
Independence and the aspirational values
Independence and the aspirational values embodied in a declaration we might see a
embodied in a declaration we might see a
embodied in a declaration we might see a better way forward we might think that
better way forward we might think that
better way forward we might think that perhaps Colin could have pointed to some
perhaps Colin could have pointed to some
perhaps Colin could have pointed to some of our common cultural touchstones and
of our common cultural touchstones and
of our common cultural touchstones and the values embodied in those and called
the values embodied in those and called
the values embodied in those and called us higher to live out those aspirational
us higher to live out those aspirational
us higher to live out those aspirational values embodied in our national
values embodied in our national
values embodied in our national touchstones
”
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