It's a quiet day at work - most of the office is on vacation this week for Thanksgiving, and (at least for the moment) all the systems I look after are up and running, sans issues.
500 miles away, though, I know today is not a quiet day. It has not been a quiet week. And I imagine for many there is not much apparent cause for "thanks-giving." 500 miles away, there are protests, some peaceful, some not. 500 miles away, there is hurting, on all sides of a complicated story, and on all sides of larger, deeply complex issues.
I do not have a well-formed opinion about Ferguson. I recognize that with my white-male privilege in a society that promotes white-maleness, it's difficult, if not impossible, for me to understand much of what's going on. However, mere impossibility does not absolve my social responsibility to try anyway. So for now, I'm reading. Most of what I'm reading comes from my friend Elle's Facebook feed. She's one of the church-affiliated people marching in Ferguson, and someone who's opinions I respect a great deal. Whether your mind is already made-up, or you're searching for understanding (like I am), I invite you to check out these pages that I thought were well-presented.
The confrontation: Different stories
If you're behind the times like I was and just need a basic primer of what went down, start here.
When they yell: "F@#$ the police" What would Jesus have me do then?
Reflections from a clergy member involved in the protests. Very insightful and well-thought-out blog post.
Ferguson isn’t about black rage against cops. It’s white rage against progress
Ferguson Protesters Guard Stores From Looters
Not all protestors are being destructive.
Self-Segregation: Why It's So Hard for Whites to Understand Ferguson
Ferguson Grand Jury Evidence Reveals Mistakes, Holes In Investigation
Clergy Work Through Night, Day Calling For Justice With Peace In Ferguson
2 comments:
I've been going back and forth on Ferguson. I've read many of the links you posted but I think there's some additional links you should also consider:
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/hey-ferguson-protestors-justice-has-been-done-but-you-never-wanted-justice/
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152603552157512
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2014/11/ferguson_darren_wilson_intervi.html
I've been going back and forth on Ferguson. I've read many of the links you posted but I think there's some additional links you should also consider:
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/hey-ferguson-protestors-justice-has-been-done-but-you-never-wanted-justice/
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152603552157512
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2014/11/ferguson_darren_wilson_intervi.html
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