As the citizens of Ferguson and by extension the rest of the nation wait to hear the decision of the Grand Jury, let me offer some wisdom and by that I mean experience.
I was a public school teacher for 30 years, most of that spent in high school. I loved my job but found I had to spent more time than I wanted to on arbitrating or trying to stop fights between students. What do you say to them? What do you do? It is really difficult.
On the first day of school each year I put into writing the rules/regulations of my classroom and the most important one to me was that I would always treat the students with dignity and respect and in return expected them to treat me and their fellow students in the same way. I did and for the most part they did with me and each other.
MUTUAL RESPECT, IT WORKS EVERY TIME.
Now, forces outside the classroom can disrupt the peace within. One day a young lady in my class came in extremely agitated. The news on the "grape vine" preceded her so I knew ahead of time what kind of mood she would be in when she arrived. Some of the kids, before class, were prodding her into the fight to protect her honor, save face whatever. I got them quieted down and started on their assignment then I began to walk around the room checking on their work and giving them individual direction on their work. When I came to this young lady I was not sure what to say to try and diffuse the situation and all I could think of was to tell her not to let other people define who she was. "Don't let them push you into something They want.
People of Ferguson: Don't let them push you into something they want. It will have a devastating effect on your community, reinforce all the stereotypes and play right into the hands of a bigger narrative being pushed throughout the country.
Once again you are being asked to rise above the hurtful inhuman acts of the people who are supposed to protect you. Protect your entire community by demanding a seat at the table, demand change and never forget these are things that must be constantly
fought for in order to keep. Rise above them and you will lift yourselves up gaining the respect that all communities deserve in America. Work for a better future for you
and your families.
Always treat people the way you want to be treated. Good luck to all of you and know in what seems to be your darkest hour there are people not of your community or race
who stand with you. I am praying and I hope for all of the best for you Ferguson and for all of us.