Bird Watching While Black: Authority, Influence, and Racism
The two incidents that highlighted our purview this week were the death of George Floyd and the wrongful accusation of Christian Cooper in Central Park. George Floyd’s death will rightfully receive much of our national attention, due to the loss of his life. However, I’d like to also highlight some underlying iniquities regarding the bird watching incident in Central Park. These two situations are not isolated and unrelated incidents. They are interconnected and reprehensible behaviors that highlight authority, influence, and racism.
Authority- the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
Many were appalled by the excessive force that was used against George Floyd. Most can see how this level of aggression is wrong and unjust. His death is a clear case where a person(s) with authority abused their position because they could. More than likely we will see in the coming months that this was not their first-time abusing their authority.
As an aside, I think it is important to dispel the false dichotomy of pro-police and anti-black or pro-black and anti-police. I am pro-humanity. I am pro-black. I am pro-police. I am pro-justice. These false dichotomous narratives are toxic and inhibits change. At the end of the day, black voices demanding the right to be treated like a human being is not a threat to others.
Influence- the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Although there was no loss of life in the Central Park incident, the same underlying toxic attitude and disregard for a black life was present. It would be easy to demonize Amy Cooper. It would be easy to categorize her as a person who fits the “racist archetype” that we may have in our minds. But if we were honest, she does not fit that mold…or does she?
In my opinion, the most frightening aspect of this incident was the sound of Mrs. Coopers voice when she called 911. The believable fear she conjured. The description of what she perceived, and what she believed the listener would perceive, as the archetypical assailant of a life threatening and aggressive incident… “an African-American man”.
Let’s remember a couple things, Mr. Christian Cooper was bird watching. He was BIRD WATCHING. He was literally living his life and a woman called the police on him because she knew she had the influence to do so. She had no authority in the situation, but she had a great amount of influence. She had influence to call on others to possibly physically harm an innocent man. Mr. Cooper was not physically harmed that day; I believe that these incidents absolutely result in psychological pain.
Although the outcome is different, when I heard of this story, I immediately thought about the story of Emmett Till who was killed in Mississippi in 1955. He was killed because the influence that Carolyn Bryant had as a white woman in her community.
Although the incident is different, the perverse use of influence and racism is similar. In our everyday lives we have to assess our level of authority and influence. If we have authority to make racial reconciliation, peace, and justice; make it happen. If we assess that we do not have authority, but we have influence, then I implore you to make every attempt to utilize your influence to bring reconciliation, peace, and justice.
What do I do now? Reflect. Research. Respond. Your response (formal and informal) is important. These actions start at the individual level. It is not solely your work environments responsibility to respond to racism through formal policy. It is not your vocal family member’s responsibility to respond on your social media feed. It starts with you and me. In my opinion, here are some ways that may assist you in your contextual response.
1. Please stop rioting. A historic figure in theological history named Saul of Tarsus used his influence to write friends who were deeply oppressed. He reminded them that their struggle could not be won by physical force and aggression. The struggle was against implicit, explicit, and systemic evil that is evasive. Trying to fight force-on-force will not work and will not co-create positive change.
2. Please keep protesting. Do not be silent. Refuse to be dismissed. Peaceful protest has a history of progression in our American cultural context. If you are tired, I understand. Don’t stop. Continue to speak up when you hear microaggressions or racism in the work environment; continue to speak up at the family dinners when someone attempts to dismiss topics regarding race; continue to write and call your local officials and advocate for racial justice; continue to advocate in public and private spaces for change, justice, and liberty for all.
3. Please keep listening. If you are not convinced that this is a big deal, can I encourage you to keep listening to those who say otherwise. If you are convinced that rioting is the best course of action, will you please keep listening to voices who contend that it is no way forward. If you are convinced that there is no hope for change, will you keep listening to those of us who deeply believe in the power of incremental change. I am asking for all of us to have the courage to continue to listen to each other and respond.
4. Please do not tolerate racial injustice being categorized as solely a political issue. This is a humanitarian crisis. Some of these incidents will be highlighted in the public spotlight, but these are not the only issues where we see racial injustice. It is evident in our school districts, our promotion systems, our recreational environments, corporate boardrooms, and every fabric of our societal systems. This is a human issue, let us not lose sight of this reality.
5. Accept the fact that you are not a bystander. You are in it. No matter who you are and where you live. This has an affect on your life (implicitly or explicitly). Learn to recognize the domains in your life that you have authority and influence. When you recognize those places do what you can to make positive changes toward justice, racial reconciliation, and multicultural competence.
Dr. Cedric Williams
Founder + CEO
Legacy Consulting & Research Group
