Step Out

Step Out

Written by: Dave DeRose

It is time to identify and discuss the root cause of the racial tensions that we face today. It is important to mention that this discussion shouldn’t just be limited to race, but also religion, sexual orientation, and nationality. However, as race is at the forefront of national conversation, I will use it as a vehicle on which to propel and express my understanding. I have come to the conclusion that there is a specific equation that, when calculated, gives us our current state or racial tension. The equation goes; marginalization + removal of dignity x (privilege + lack of empathy) = the state of our current society. Race is the unfortunate variable that is used to create unfair, perpetual, and systemic degradation. When this topic is sincerely investigated, it is impossible to deny this truth. I will break down the parts of this equation and give a solution; a new equation for our future.

To marginalize, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group.” If you look around to CEOs, politicians, principals, and any other positions of power, there is an overwhelming lack of diversity. It has been proven in the research of John Nunley and Adam Pugh (2014). They sent out 9,400 resumes, equal in experience and degree obtained. They found that African-American applicants were 16% less likely to be called in for an interview. The results were increased when the job was for a position that is customer facing. This is an unfair study as it assumes that there are equal numbers of qualified candidates. It doesn’t take into consideration the obstacles the majority of black families face is obtaining competitive degrees (i.e. poverty, access to materials, and cultural capitol). So, even in the utopia of this experiment where all is equal, there is still a substantial disadvantage of being black. That is marginalization.  

Dignity, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “the quality of being worthy of honor and respect.” When people are marginalized, dignity is stripped away. Without dignity identify is lost. This is expressed in how races other than white are portrayed in history books (or lack there of). When there is no strong sense of dignity, as is gained through identity, therein is created a power void. It is in this void that, I believe, there is an issue between the black community and the police. 

Why is there an excess of criminality in the black community? I think the answer in Sayani’s dissertation (2010) explains it best. In this case, he was interviewing members of a school (both teachers and students) about a group of students who were referred to as the “Brown Boys” within the school. They were second generation Pakistani and Indian children. Teachers feared them because of their behavior. When asked about their behavior one of the Brown Boys said, “We won't let history repeat itself. We’re taking control; it’s like we may not be the majority be we can take the power” (p. 165). When the powers that be perpetuate powerlessness, people seek to gain power how and where they can. This was expressed in Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken (2010). There are many instances where POWs would take a great risk to steal insignificant items just to assert control and reestablish dignity. They, as prisoners, were breaking the rules and some would say unnecessarily so. But, in breaking the rules of the system that was meant to break them, they gained power.  I know this is an extreme example, but I use it purposefully. The stripping of dignity through the POW camps serves as a severe example of what black people face in our country. There is an innate human need for exerting power and control in one’s life. When there isn’t equal access to power via the institutions that exist, the power void that is created will be filled with actions that are viewed as undesirable by that same institution.  

I know exactly what some of you are thinking, “There is no excuse for breaking the law.” “They should know better.” Or, “If they would just follow the law they wouldn’t have to deal with the police.” That is one I have been guilty of thinking on more than one occasion. Yet, thinking like this is what physiology describes as fundamental attribution error. Taking a person’s actions and attributing it to their character; not taking into consideration all the external forces that caused that behavior (as mentioned above). It is essential to our success as a community, even nation, to look past actions and, instead, discover to their root causes. What are the external motivational factors that led to criminality. How are institutions creating power voids in our communities? Why is there not equal access to power within this country?

Now I challenge you to practice empathy. Do you know what it is like to experience marginalization based on race? Where your skin color is a measurable aggregate of your academic success? Where your race is a measurable aggregate of your socioeconomic status? If you find yourself having trouble grasping these concepts, as I did, I recommend you go outside of your normal “circle” and have a conversation with someone who has faced these realities everyday of their entire life. Wait, don’t be so quick to throw me a roll of the eyes. If you think I am wrong, please go and have the conversation with a member of a different race, and if I end up being wrong, please let me know. I was fortunate enough to have friends who shared their truth with me: it was transformative. It is in these honest conversations that we can develop empathy. When we can address and accept that marginalization, removal of dignity, and the lack of empathy derived from privilege exist, we can begin to make a difference. If we do, our equation will change to; inclusion + acceptance + praise x empathy = an accepting society with equal access to power. 

The choice to act is genuinely up to you. I can not come to your house and introduce you to people. You will have to take a step outside your own door and meet people where they are at. This may be extremely difficult. It was, and often still is difficult for me. There have been times where I refused to go. I chickened out and nothing has disheartened me more. I am now, as I hope you will be, resolved to do this work. Experience the world through others eyes and you will be all the better for it. And, if we engage in empathy, individuals, households, communities, states, and even the nation will be better for it. We must first understand before we can act.