CNN AND THE TRUTH SHATTER MY REVERIE

Recent mornings have been beautiful in my sheltered corner of Austin, Texas. I try to start the day with some meditative reflection on my back porch. The bees are enjoying the indigo spires. The mourning doves sip from recent rain puddles. The more raucous jays dominate the bird bath, while squirrels squirrel away with the freshly cut apple cores benevolently shared by my partner. A calming, delightful scene. Until I break that mood by turning on CNN.

I see the anger and destruction in response to the George Floyd murder, playing out in cities across the Nation, and I join you in a flood of emotions. I share the anger of compassionate people of all colors and backgrounds who acknowledge the tragic history of discrimination that brings us to this perfectly bad storm. Having a few years of perspective, I realize that these community protests represent far more than just this one tragic incident of racist inhumanity. They are pent-up responses to years of discrimination, inequity and unresponsive governance, for many more groups beyond the African American community. And, We The People are complicit in this neglect. But we’re also the key to its correction.

I hope I’m just one of a huge majority of Anglos who are prompted to introspection and soul-searching. Wondering how we missed or ignored signals, encouraged or failed to discourage institutional racism, and how by fault or default, we contributed to these destructive outbursts that represent so much more than the tragic killing of George Floyd.

MY FATHER TAUGHT ME BETTER

My father knew better, and taught me better. He grew up in Ft. Worth, went through integrated public schools, served with a diversity of soldiers in the Army, believed in the dignity and worth of all individuals, and taught me same. He called me out immediately when he caught me being disrespectful of folks of any color.

I grew up in the small West Texas town of Ft. Stockton in the ‘40s through early ‘60s. We only had 2 or 3 Black families, so they were not influential in our community life. And, in that context, I knew little of the impact of slavery and the plight of discrimination in other parts of the Country. We had a large, perhaps even majority of Hispanics, but they, too, had little business or civic influence at that time. We went to school together, and many were my close friends, respected to this day. And, by the way, Hispanics are now in significant positions of power in every facet of Ft. Stockton’s civic life. So, in an elemental sense, I knew better, but had little experience to gain perspective until I left West Texas.

AN EXPANDED WORLD OPENS MY HEART AND MIND

Giving some credit to my Ft. Stockton “Wonder Bread Years,” my clandestine use of a transistor radio (after my Mom had hoped/thought I was going to bed on school nights) led me to Wolfman Jack and R&B and soul music. That led me to WNOE-New Orleans and KWKH-Shreveport, where “Stan’s Record Review” introduced me to Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and James Brown. That body of musical knowledge enabled a comfortable frame of reference for subsequent friendships in the Black community, and some wonderful resulting musical events.

The most memorable was being asked by my Black CU-Boulder football player classmate to double-date with him to see James Brown in the Denver Coliseum.(1964) It was my first such experience, one of perhaps 20 anglos in a 3,000 person sold-out concert. Scary and exciting for me. Some guy got shot over a dispute about 10 rows below us, AND THEY NEVER EVEN STOPPED THE SHOW. He was just carried out by security, and James Brown and The Famous Flames never missed a note. I was amazed, scared to death, but exhilarated… and understanding “charisma” for the first time, as I experienced the mesmerizing power JB had over the audience. My next such experience was with a Black friend working in the Midland, Tx. bank, who took me to see Ike and Tina and the Ikettes at the only Black club in Midland. I may have been the only white boy there that evening. Totally Unforgettable.

And I was glad to have more than music-related experiences. I had the opportunity to work with an outstanding Black park ranger trainee in Rocky Mountain National Park while I was going to CU. He was working on his MBA, was from the Northeast, was better than me in every way. Better looking, more worldly, more intelligent…an impressive young man. Reinforced my father’s reminders from years earlier.

I COME TO AUSTIN, GROW UP A BIT, AND START TO UNDERSTAND

I rolled into Austin in 1968, excited to start graduate school, start a new life chapter, and learn about this fabled community. I’ve now been here 52 years, love Austin, glad to have raised my children here. I’ve been a volunteer and cheerleader for AISD and our Chamber of Commerce. In so doing, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working closely with community activists and leaders of all colors and backgrounds. My civic engagement has given me the opportunity to experience community struggles and better understand the complexity of issues that typify Austin and many other of our Nation’s metropolitan centers. The diminishing Anglo majority of our seemingly idyllic city has only recently started broadly recognizing the growing pains, inequities and institutional racism that have influenced more mature cities for decades, and which now are the catalysts for the current violent protests. We ignore them at our civic peril.

SOME OF WHAT I’VE LEARNED, And of course it’s complicated

—That conscious city planning and development encouraged segregation divided by I-35…

—That public schools and public services were often short-changed in East Austin…

—That historical “redlining” limited business and housing development in East Austin.

—That until recently, “gentlemen’s agreements” limited token representation of minorities in city and county govt. and on the school board.

—That many East Austin natives worked their way out, moved to the West Side and didn’t come back to help lift up their communities.

—That many black families have found themselves priced out of their multi-generational East Austin neighborhoods. Austin has been behind the curve in dealing with affordable housing issues.

—That many developers cashing in on East Austin development have never been asked to give a boost to East Austin neighborhood schools, parks and pools.

—That rapid gentrification and local displacement could be handled so much better if public/private collaborative partnerships helped counsel thoughtful development while honoring neighborhood integrity.

—That the media often are too quick on the first-scoop trigger to blame the police in many incidents before getting the facts. The George Floyd incident was obvious. Most others are complex. The media can best serve the community by understanding their role in a rush to judgment.

—That neighborhood leaders, the media and police could develop a much better synergy in everyone’s best interest.

—And of course there’s more…

THE GOOD NEWS

Now, there are an abundance of outstanding leaders of all colors, cultures and backgrounds working to build and rebuild this community. We, like most other parts of the Country, are suffering the double setbacks of coronavirus and unresponsive State and National government. However, many non-profits, faith-based groups and enlightened public officials are working to build on the best, and address the worst. Leadership Austin is a great diverse resource pool of seasoned and developing leaders whom I frequently call on to address community challenges. Austin is a dynamic, progressive city with the best and brightest of every background who want to make Austin a better Austin. I’d never bet against that. My grandchildren are counting on it.

IN CLOSING, I APOLOGIZE TO MY FRIENDS OF COLOR

The old cartoon had the line, “Too soon we get old, too late we get smart.” That applies to many of us, this writer included. I’ve learned a lot over time and in this moment about the discrimination and prejudice you’ve faced forever. I’ve sympathized, couldn’t empathize, have worked with many of you on community projects, but have never given you the measure of attention and understanding that a true friend should give. My wonderful partner, who has played significant multi-cultural leadership roles in Atlanta and New Orleans, has accelerated my sensitivity learning curve substantially. I’m grateful for all my friends of color who’ve been patient with me, understanding that I’m still an admitted work in progress. Aren’t we all?

I APOLOGIZE. I WISH I’D DONE MORE. I’ll DO BETTER.