Why Ferguson Matters In Chattanooga - And Response (2)

  • Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The recent verdict in Ferguson has thrown race relations in the spotlight again. It is far too easy to get caught up in the debate as to who was right. But the plain fact is that the community lost, the police force lost and the nation lost.

So why does Ferguson matter in Chattanooga? Because a police force mainly composed of whites got into a conflict with a community mainly composed of African Americans. You could easily switch Michael Brown’s name with Alonzo Heyward. 

Regardless of skin color it is human nature to want to be treated with respect and understanding. Clearly that did not happen. Neither side was strong enough to reach across the divide and stop this tragedy. 

Many blame Chattanooga’s violence on the African American community. But, time and again, the same set of circumstances in Ferguson plays out in Chattanooga. A mainly white police force and judicial system has a precarious, at best, relationship with Chattanooga’s minorities. 

I think Chattanooga can do better than Ferguson. That starts with a police force and judicial system that is more inclusive of African Americans. Clearly our judiciary, district attorney’s office and police force do not reflect the racial demographics of Hamilton County. 

That’s what it will take to stop Chattanooga from becoming Ferguson. The tiresome refrain of various local politicians screaming “the African American community needs to take responsibility for itself” starts with making African Americans a part of that community, not outsiders excluded from the very institutions that are supposed to represent them. 

Michael Brown’s step-father screaming “Burn this **** down!” was a moment of profound truth because it showed just how disconnected Ferguson has become. Could you imagine this man screaming “Burn my own house down!”? By making minorities stakeholders in our legal system instead of unwanted guests we can defuse this type of polarization. 

That is not something that can be done overnight. It will take the efforts of various decision makers across the city and county government to evolve. But, for Chattanooga to continue growing into a world class city, that is exactly what needs to happen. 

Charles Bikas 

* * * 

So, what is the answer?  Hiring quotas based on race?  I guess the Equal Employment stuff will need to be set aside.  Since we agree that we will now need to discriminate during hiring practices, exactly when does the ratio of white/black officers become acceptable? 

And, when did the gang violence (note, I said nothing about black on black shootings) become something caused by the police?  I may not be a gang member (and, I am not), but it seems like they keep making truces and breaking them days/weeks later.  Are they breaking them because the police did something?  Or, are they just too willing to go shoot up each other’s neighborhood for no better reason than group affiliation and retaliation? 

Robert Harvey
Chattanooga 

* * * 

I have lived in the Chattanooga area for 57 years and have a different view of minority relations than others in the area. I have many friends in the African American Community. They are wonderful people that live within the law, take care of family, and are dedicated to their jobs. They were not born into their status 30-50 years ago. Many of them fought poverty and disadvantage to achieve their stations in life.

I also have a Caucasian friend who has spent her entire teaching career in Chattanooga's "inner city" schools.  She is now in administration. She chose where she has worked becasue she felt that God led her there. If you listen to her talk about her experiences and observations of the children and their parents in those areas of our city, its deeply disturbing. Inspiration and hope are present, but often the accounts are heart breaking and filled with despair. 

Draw your own conclusions about who is primarily responsible for raising one generation to the next and determining the basic world view that a child holds as they grow up. I will tell you that it is not up to the school to teach character or morals--its supposed to be the responsibility of the home.  We have laid the burden of raising well developed children on teachers, the school system, or some social service. That is pitiful, misguided thinking. 

One question I am asking is this: Who knows who belongs to gangs? Owns and carries illegal weapons? sells drugs? The entire community around them each day. Family, "friends," neighbors, business owners, etc. It will take a decision by the community at large to get these people off the streets and into the justice system. 

I have never seen statistics about the percentages of blacks vs whites that go to police academy, graduate, and apply for positions on our local police force. If more black officers are not available to hire, how is it the fault of local law enforcement agencies? Please explain that. 

I worked with many high level professionals publicly and privately over the years. I saw failures in all those groups. I saw individuals suffer at the hands of esteemed members of our community. Some failures were made public, most were not. Excuses for our police force? No, just the facts about our community as a whole. When the media is not around [and sometimes when they are], lots of things are swept under the proverbial rug. Are you going to base your world view on everything the media feeds you? Don't be gullible or foolish. 

Ted Ladd
East Ridge

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