Respect and Racial Justice

Why in the world do I write about such a difficult and emotionally charged topic?  It is a great question.  It is because I believe in “Respect and the Golden Rule” and the behaviors it requires.  Having values without applying them in my actions would be like having my own home gym without ever picking up the weights or getting on the treadmill–it would make me feel good to know I could exercise whenever I want, but never have any impact on my health.  Saying I believe in respect without trying to live out respect for others would be just as pointless.

For values to have an impact on us we must always lean on them, especially in difficult times.  The current racial justice movements and counter movements certainly cause our communities to confront difficult and emotional issues while providing us an opportunity to demonstrate respect.  When we consider justice issues through the lens of Respect—to treat others as we want to be treated—we can see through complexity, nuance, selfishness and red herrings that often obstruct our vision.  

For this post I will use definitions that the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets’ Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership use in their Respect initiative. 

I suspect we have all been a part of many discussions about the racial justice movement that has swept across our country following the deaths of too many black Americans at the hands of police.  George Floyd, Breanna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are three black Americans needlessly killed by on-duty and former police and law enforcement officers in 2020.  As you considered these incidents, did you ever shift from discussions with friends who think like you to dialogue, based on respect, with people who might hold a different view?  Many, perhaps most, made this shift.  Unfortunately, social media and press reports make clear that some of us were not interested in dialogue and respect, but in reinforcement of our beliefs.

Officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on Floyd George’s neck (Darnella Frazier via AP), Breanna Taylor (Family of Breonna Taylor, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images), and Armaud Arbery (via New York Times).

I believe the majority of protesters we have seen this year want to experience the life reflected in the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.  Our citizens want to live among people who agree that it is “self-evident” that “all men are created equal” and in turn know all our citizens are respected.  Our founders declared there are certain “unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  When I really listen to protesters of various movements, I typically hear the same aspirations.  A desire for security and safety; freedom from fear; freedom and opportunity to fairly pursue happiness and the American dream for themselves and their children; and a desire to be treated with dignity.  Most of this year’s protestors desire to live in a society pursuing the values penned thousands of years ago by religious leaders of many faiths and then repeated centuries ago by our founding fathers.  It seems pretty simple.

Movements and the use of language to separate us from our values

Black Lives Matter and black lives matter.  There is an important distinction between the group Black Lives Matter (BLM) and a belief that black lives matter.  The distinction became an excuse for many white Americans to refuse to say “black lives matter” because they disagreed with Marxist orientation claimed by two of BLM’s founders in 2015.  This is an unneeded argument over language to prevent acknowledgement of a fundamental idea. Another false argument is that saying black lives matter suggests other lives matter less. That is simply not true. It is generally intended as a statement that black Americans should be treated and valued like all other Americans. The expression is in response to current living environments and opportunities. Statistically and anecdotally today and throughout our history, black lives have not been treated or valued equally to the majority white population. Saying that black lives matter is intended to raise the floor regarding treatment of black Americans, not drop the ceiling on anyone.

Black friends I have talked with say simply that “we want to know that our lives matter, that we are important and have worth.”  Their words are not the voices of Marxists or Socialists, and they do not seek special treatment.  In fact, I’ve gone to war with some of these friends.  Several have logged countless hours “outside the wire” in Iraq and Afghanistan and flown hours of combat missions in the past decades, as have many protestors.  I would give my life for these friends, and they for me.  Through the years they have taught me valuable lessons on life as a black American–and I am still learning. One of those lessons is that they do not want special treatment, merely fair and just treatment.

Blue Lives Matter is perhaps an instinctive and natural response by family, friends and members of law enforcement to movements, such as BLM, they view as demeaning of or increasing risk to policing and serving our communities.  The vast majority of police carry out their duties and responsibilities with integrity and respect for all the communities they serve.  Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for us every time they put on a uniform.  They want and deserve our respect and support, even as groups of officers and citizens expect improved training and accountability in police departments to raise the standard for those who today fall short.  

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies shot Sept 12,2020 (Images via Fox 11 LA). Newport KY Police Memorial 1999 (City of Newport website). 2016 funeral for Corporell Montrell Jackson, Baton Rouge, LA (Getty Images).

Unfortunately, many law enforcements officers and family members can see evidence that some in communities they are charged to protect do not adequately respect their lives and service.  Just look at who calls for justice and expresses sympathy when officers are killed or injured in the line of duty.  From Jan 1-Nov 20, 2020 forty-four law enforcement officers have been killed in the line-of-duty.  Even attacks such as that on two Los Angeles Sherriff’s Deputies (one of whom was black) viciously shot in the head in September did not draw the public outcry many expected and the officers deserved. (The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department does not identify the officers by name in their press releases)

By focusing on the value of respect—to treat everyone with fairness and dignity—it becomes easy to see that both black lives and blue lives matter.  Needless violence and deaths are something we should mourn and expect accountability for, regardless of perpetrator or victim.

Why do we make it hard to respect groups who are different than us in this dialogue?  

I see three primary reasons.  One, when we don’t believe we are racist or have benefited from systemic racism either today or in decades past, we often lose our ability to consider other viewpoints. We are essentially blinded.  A blog about values is not the place to explore this tough issue.

The second reason that I hear is fear. For today, I simply want to acknowledge that fear, often significant, exists in most communities who find themselves on opposite “sides” in a racial justice debate. Fear is incredibly powerful and can create separation between what we profess as our values and our actions. Perhaps it is worth exploring as part of a future blog.

The third reason is that many of us find it hard to understand or accept that multiple truths can co-exist that are seemingly at odds with one another.  For example, I believe that: black lives matter; law enforcement officers matter; black (and white) rioters and looters need to be tried and punished; black-on-black crime is a significant challenge in black communities; officers who don’t meet standards need to be accountable and/or fired; in extreme cases entire police forces need to be reformed; police forces should be fully funded; and that systemic reforms, such as increased social and mental health workers to partner with communities and police, could relieve some of the pressure on officers. But some suggest if I believe blue lives matter and law enforcement deserves our support that I can’t also believe we need improved officer accountability and training.

Racial justice and security for our communities are difficult and complex issues.  Opposing groups want us to believe it is as simple as focusing on only one or two “truths” above that support their position.  A more values-oriented approach is to look at each of the areas of disagreement through a lens of respect for others…and honesty with yourself.  I believe there is truth on both sides and room for a healthy policy debate regarding solution.  I don’t believe there is room to look away from all of the challenges.  Looking away represents the essence of the expression “can’t see the forest for the trees”—becoming so focused on the details of a single issue, or tree, that you are unable to see other trees that compose a forest.  Respect allows one to see the forest and also fairly assess it’s trees.

Lack of respect is a recipe for continuing conflict 

I suspect we have all either been involved in, watched, listened or read descriptions about some emotional element of protest and reckoning with our past and present.  One thing I have heard repeatedly is a desire on the part of both groups in a debate to be first respected by the other side.  Group A even want their “opponents” to accept the goodness of Group A’s positions and beliefs first, before being willing to sit down and talk (ok, hopefully listen) with the other side.  And just to make sure everyone knows why Group A demands respect, they demean or even demonize Group B.   

In this scenario, there will only be no mutually beneficial progress or agreed upon measures since neither group is willing to compromise or to offer respect to the other.  While there may be a decision and an apparent “winner”, the issues will fester and pop up again in the months and years ahead for “resolution” again.  

I suspect many have, like me, heard advocates on one side of diversity-oriented debates claim the issue presented was new and demean those who raise it today.   In fact, many issues (school names, statues, flags come to mind) are decades old and only “new” to those who had not paid attention in earlier times or simply used majority rule to “win” in the past.  Today it is important to have respect-based dialogue and pursue mutually acceptable outcomes. Absent mutual respect we will continue to pass down the same challenges from generation to generation.  

Our response

Images from left to right. Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson made headlines May 30, 2020 when he took off his weapons and marched with a group of protesters in Flint, Michigan. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP). Camden Police marching with protestors in Camden, NJ (Camden Police via twitter). Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo walking with protestors at a “Justice for George Floyd” event in Houston (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images)

If we are to model the value of respect, we need to demonstrate through our actions that life and lives matter, that “and justice for all” is part of our national fabric and not a meaningless pledge to our flag.  In the pictures above law enforcement leaders and black community members are walking and talking together during protests over George Floyd’s death. They serve as a great example for all of us. In the days and weeks ahead, I encourage you to not be distracted by the faults and actions of a relative few.  Each of us, regardless of our various group identities, should find a way to demonstrate that both black and blue communities and lives matter.  It does not need to be a grand gesture for show, just a sincere individual outreach in your own way.  Let’s strive for the aspirations of our nation’s founders and a calling of most religious faiths—treat others as we want to be treated, with respect. 

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