Jackson Free Press

"It won't happen here! We don't have those problems in Jackson."

I've heard these words in recent months following the numerous police shootings of young black men across the country, the murder of nine congregants of Emanuel AME Zion in Charleston, S.C., and the deaths of Sandra Bland in Texas and Jonathan Sanders in Mississippi.

Out of the growing pain and anger that arose from irresponsible, oppressive violence aimed at those within the Africa American community, voices joined to declare that indeed "Black Lives Matter." Soon, the pundits on the right declared to their followers that "black lives matter" meant that white lives no longer mattered and argued that it became the rallying cry of black "terrorists" to defend what they perceive as targeted violence against law-enforcement officers.

Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter activists earnestly, and painfully, have made their case that this is not about black lives mattering more than other lives. Rather, they remind us, it is way past time for those in positions of power to recognize that black lives matter just as much as those of whites. The vitriolic arguments against the Black Lives Matter movement rise out of the lurking racism that has been hiding in the closets of white self-congratulatory "we are past racism" facades.

Add to that mix the intense pushback to those of us who believe it is long past time for the Confederate battle flag to be removed from the field of the Mississippi flag, and the ongoing blight of racism cannot be ignored. No longer is it: "It won't happen here!" It is: "It's just a matter of time."

What can and must we do so that it will not happen here? As a community, what can we do to address the underlying racism and fears that are the cause of these incidents and tensions? What resources are available to our law-enforcement officers to help them protect and serve, and to our community to be able to support the majority of the officers who are hardworking, conscientious and compassionate, and want excellent relations with the people they are charged to serve?

What resources are available to re-educate our peers who live in denial of the ongoing insidious fears and hatred that personal and systemic racism spawn, which is even emblazed upon our state symbols.

Jackson 2000 can help! This 26-year-old organization has been addressing the issue of race since its beginning. Our Dialogue Circles have brought together people of all races to have honest, in-depth conversations that are sometimes painful as they encourage self-examination, but consistently, they have been described as life-changing. Not only do these conversations bring personal transformation, they also can lead to systemic change that is ultimately what is needed. The goal of effective inter-racial dialogue has always been to begin the process of undoing racism by first coming to terms with the reality that racism exists and that racism not only has impacted but continues to negatively impact our personal lives and the lives of our neighbors.

Dialogue Circles are comprised of 10 to 12 persons of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds who commit to spending 12 hours with one another in dialogue that a trained facilitator guides about their personal history with racism. Participation in such a circle is free, you can register on our web site, jackson2000.org.

In coming months, Jackson 2000 will not only host numerous Dialogue Circles but will also focus energy on efforts to undo racism in the public arena. Following up on an intense workshop held in August entitled "Undoing Racism," Jackson 2000 will offer skilled training for those who are currently engaged in transforming systemic racism or who wish to be so engaged.

Awareness of differing viewpoints and cultures must happen: Ignorance needs to be dispelled and truths told in a safe environment with the purpose of moving forward on a continuum of understanding.

Jackson 2000 offers to our businesses, community organizations, faith groups and schools the opportunity to call together a Dialogue Circle within their particular contexts to hear one another's stories and to participate in intentional conversations to transform our perceptions of the racial biases that for too long have divided our society.

We offer our proven resources to local law-enforcement officers, public servants and members of our community in order to be proactive—before another tragic incident occurs. We have successfully scaled our proven method to meet the limitations and needs of numerous contexts, and we will be glad to work with your organization to provide a workshop suited to your particular organization's environment.

Just ask. We're happy to help.

J. David Waugh is the co-chairman of Jackson 2000. For more information, visit jackson2000.org.