To understand each other, look through each other’s ‘windows’

We are at a point as Americans where people are having a hard time understanding each other. For many this is an exciting time where transformational change regarding institutionalized racism looks possible, but for others, the feeling is “I just cannot understand these protests, the looting, and the anger at the police when there are so many good officers.” As a mediator, and mediation skills educator, I am always looking for ways to help people understand one another. People have such different histories that it is important to try to unearth how they formed their beliefs.

One of the best ways to help people understand each other is for the mediator to ask questions, usually of both sides. But today my question is just for white people: Is it possible, given the long history of racism in this country, that you should be ready in this moment, in the words of St. Francis, to “not so much seek … to be understood as to understand?”

When I was a child, my favorite book was “Look Through My Window” by Jean Little. It was about young friends and their attempts to understand each other despite religious differences. A wise grandmother is quoted for responding to people who say, “I just cannot understand what makes her act like that” with “Well, look through her window for a while and it’ll come clear.” To truly understand the fear and deep frustration of people of color, as a white person I am trying to look through a Black person’s window for a while.

Teresa F. Frisbie, director, Dispute Resolution Program, Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Wise observation

In the “Taste” section of the June 24 Sun-Times, I came across an interesting and wise observation about — of all things — eggs! An egg nutritionist’s simple statement seems oddly suited for application to so many situations in our world of news that’s constantly trending.

The story discussed the fact that, in recent years, eggs have been cast in an ever-changing “good guy/bad guy” scenario related to their value in nutrition. The nutritionist said the truth is that things don’t change that quickly. Her astute observation: “It just looks that way when the media focuses on any one (event) in isolation — good or bad.”

It reminded me that — when we look at actions by any rogue officers, such as the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd — we must look at the efforts of the many dedicated police as well. A prime example: the team of Tallahassee police who found and arrested a local man in the deaths of Black Lives Matter protester “Toyin” Salau, 19, and Victoria Sims, 75, an activist who befriended her. Don’t the police deserve the same credit for their many years of value as the lowly egg?

Christine Craven, Evergreen Park

Greatest defeat

“Never let a good crisis go to waste.” The GOP is about to hand us a good crisis by killing Obamacare before the Supreme Court. If they succeed, 20 million citizens will lose coverage. The call will then come loud and clear that this country needs Medicare for All. And the GOP, who hate letting anyone get benefits from the government, will face their greatest defeat.

Lee Knohl, Evanston