Ferguson events spark public forum about race & law enforcement

The UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity hosted a public forum and panel discussion Monday, Sept. 8, in response to recent events in Ferguson, Mo., where an unarmed 18-year-old black male was shot by a white law enforcement officer in August. Several city, religious, and university leaders met with a packed audience in Ledbetter Hall of the Donaghey Student Center to dialogue about what can be done in Little Rock to foster relations between law enforcement and area residents. Members of the panel included Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore, Little Rock Police Department Assistant Chief Eric S. Higgins, and Campus Pastor Harry Li, as well as Assistant Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church Lindy Vogado and St. Mark Baptist Church Senior Pastor Phillip Pointer. Pointer said for him as a young, African-American male and as a father to three children the events in Ferguson were “intensely personal.” He said pastors and churches are often called upon for healing and prayers, but not as often called on to engage in “aggressive advocacy” to address issues of ethnic injustice. Vogado agreed that one of the most egregious components of the events in Ferguson was the “blame, denial, and apathy” on the part of some in the white community. “Willful ignorance is no longer acceptable,” she said. But forums such as those hosted at UALR on Monday signal rays of hope, according to Li, who said he has witnessed distrust replaced by reconciliation among black and white members of his congregation. City Manager Moore agreed that open dialogue has been lacking and could go a long way in addressing the issues raised in Ferguson and other places. “We constantly need to hear from you all,” he told the crowd. Higgins concurred with Moore about the importance of community in solving the problems that arise between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. “Own your police department,” he urged the audience. But one member of the audience received applause when she raised concerns that placing the blame on victims of racism only perpetuates the problem. Several also pointed to the poor example set when a former Little Rock police officer whose manslaughter trial in the fatal shooting of a black teenager in 2012 twice resulted in deadlocked juries and whose case was eventually dismissed. Dr. Michael R. Twyman, director of the Institute, moderated the panel, and UALR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson made opening remarks. Anderson said it is important for religious leaders to help move the community forward on this issue because they are respected by their parishioners and routinely have a willing audience. He acknowledged that although one incident sparked the crisis in Ferguson, a longstanding history of racial tension in that community and across the U.S. was the crux of the problem. The theme of the Sept. 8 event was “Not in Little Rock: A Community Forum.” The Institute on Race and Ethnicity at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock was founded in July 2011. With a vision to make Arkansas the best state in the country for promoting and celebrating racial and ethnic diversity, the Institute conducts research, promotes scholarship and provides programs that address racial inequities. It does so by facilitating open and honest dialogue aimed at empowering communities and informing public policy to achieve more equitable outcomes.

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