Healing in a Storm of Racism and Hate
Since the beginning of 2017, the world has watched America at its worst. Racism, hate, crime, violence, and the list can go on, has increased exponentially. The protest in Charlottesville, Virginia that turned extremely violent conjured up memories of the Jim Crow era for many African Americans. The anger and hatred toward fellow humans was horrific, this hate must stop. How do we turn it around and heal from all the pain and anger?
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few years about “how do we heal” as a country. In the past few months there has been even more discussion about healing in response to all the hate and racism directed toward people of color in this country through injustice by government and corruption in law enforcement.
As the mother of an African American male I am always concerned for him whether he’s walking or driving. On my daily commute from my house to the Metra station I see at least three or four police cars where a black person has been pulled over. Just this past Sunday, my son and I went to the Corner Bakery on 93rd and Cicero. As we were talking and having breakfast there was an older White couple in the booth behind us. I noticed them when the gentleman got up and gave us a quick once over as he passed our table I caught his eye gave a friendly smile. They finished their breakfast before us and the woman who accompanied him got up to leave and part of her sweater had somehow landed on the side of the booth where my son was sitting. She gasped and grabbed her sweater. When he asked her what’s wrong in a low voice she pointed to her sweater (she was quite nervous) he gave a quick glance my way, again eye contact this time without a smile, he directed her to the exit door. I just shook my head and finished my breakfast.
For African Americans what is the healer that will allow us to heal from the atrocities of slavery, and the laws that continue to keep us enslaved? As someone who believes in Spirit I am in constant prayer this practice helps me stay centered, at peace, and optimistic. This coupled with participating in Restorative Justice Peace Circles, Racial Equity training, and the W.K. Kellogg Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Partnership have collectively been the catalyst to my path to healing.
Restorative Justice Practices and Prayer both involve people forming a circle, holding hands, and everyone is focused on the same thing to bring about a change. Peace circles aim to repair the harm done by providing a space to address conflict holistically and solve problems with an emphasis on healing and learning through a collective group process. I have found the circles to be good way to release the pain, address the harm, and begin the healing process.
Racial equity training brings out the facts about structural racism, and race as a social construct in America. It shows the truth about the inequality in this country, why it is more difficult for people of color to find the path for upward mobility and what the barriers have been to keep us down. It is difficult to go through this training especially when it is a mixture of people who are privileged and those who are not.
After taking part in these practices I have concluded that in order to heal we must confront the harm and have a difficult conversation about the facts with the people who caused the harm. Lay it all out on the table and discuss the issues and devise a plan of action, correction, and healing.
An apology is owed
An apology can go a long way when you are the victim of harm there is an emotional healing that takes place when an offender gives a sincere apology. Research has shown that receiving an apology has a noticeable, positive physical effect on the body it actually affects the bodily functions of the person receiving it—blood pressure decreases, heart rate slows and breathing becomes steadier. People of color are owed an apology for all the harm that has been inflicted upon us. A sincere apology with action behind it, truly moving towards a kinder and gentler country, that is when the healing will begin.
Deborah Clark, Grants and Operations Manager, Woods Fund Chicago