First step in challenging racism is to listen

We live in what may be the most polarized time in modern history. Most of us consume media that reinforces our own world view, we interact with people online and in person who look and think like we do. Not only that, but that media and those people demonize and denigrate people whose world view is different from our own. This is human nature, and I am as guilty as the next person.

I’m not writing about the incident that happened at Middletown High last Friday, because to limit the conversation to that incident would be missing the point. It was not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of broader issues confronting Middletown.

I’m learning the only way to reverse the polarization that has occurred nationally is to start dialogues locally. After the riot in Charlottesville last August, we had a vigil in Middletown. There, I told the story of Derek Black, an up-and-coming leader of the white supremacist movement who eventually renounced white supremacy because a man named Matthew Stevenson chose to build a relationship with Derek rather than shun him.

Challenging racism is our job. It is our mess and we need to clean it up. First, we need to find out from people of color how big and deep our mess is because we really have no idea. We need to go to communities of color, and we need to listen.

What are their experiences and feelings and perspectives and what do they want and need us to do? Then we need to go to white people who think differently from us, and we need to listen to them, too. Dialogue only really happens when you seek first to understand.

I’m hopeful. I have faith in the people of Middletown and in our leaders that we are ready to do this hard work. What better way to honor Dr. King’s legacy? Who’s with me? — Lisa Loomis, Middletown