“It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.”― Henry David Thoreau
“After watching this video, the first word that comes to mind is “hope”; hope that brighter days are ahead because more people are listening. The exchange in which these two individuals engage is a traditional one in that it sounded exactly like so many of the statements and exchanges I’ve heard and read over the past year or so. The white man made all the arguments that are typically made to rebut any stance against racism and for equality, while the black man attempted to defend himself with the hope of opening his eyes to another perspective, but more importantly changing the white man’s heart.
To me, this conversation is the first step in building a bridge for racial reconciliation.
We have to start by listening; then listening and respecting the idea that multiple perspectives must be heard or nothing will change. We have to become comfortable being uncomfortable in these conversations and understand that the discomfort is temporary and subsides once there is consistent dialogue.
I think once people can see and accept that the pandemic here is not white people, but systemic racism, discrimination, inequalities, and oppression, more people will be able to show compassion and be active in effectuating positive change. “
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen
Attorney at Law