The recent events in Ferguson surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown have a far-reaching, deep-rooted impact on us all. I received a call from Gambia from residents there who were worried about my family’s well being and the community peace. Local, national and international commentary from leaders, activists, civil servants and citizens has spawned debate and empowerment, though not all positive.
For a two-week period in June, I spent a short but sweet moment in time with Michael Brown. Working as a mathematician in Normandy public schools is a great joy. Principal White asked me to get involved with Michael to assist him in completing coursework for math. He understood that his final grade would be based on my evaluation of his work as it aligned to the project rubrics.
I will admit that at my first meeting, I was astounded by Michael’s sheer physique. His stature to me was reminiscent of the robust and resilient build and strength of his ancestors. Yet, upon seeing his first smile, I was instantly reassured that our time together would be positive, productive and pleasant.
He needed to use the computer and hands-on applications to solve exercises dealing with data comparison, graphing, research, floor-plan blueprints and geometric cartooning.
With backpack in tow, Michael sat at his desktop station and always eagerly approached his tasks. I was happy to learn that he already possessed good computer application and research skills. In most cases, I simply needed to provide good guidance towards how to improve the final presentation of the project in order for Michael to receive the maximum points.
“Can I take this home?” he would ask. The next morning, he brought back a quality amount of work that he’d completed.
When I needed to give constructive feedback, Michael carefully watched my gestures and nodded understandingly when I posed the question, “Do you think you could fix this for me and bring it in tomorrow?” He never resisted or questioned huffily why he had to do this.
Even on a day when I was late getting to the lab, he teasingly reminded me, “Hey, I waited for you for a long time.” (That makes a teacher’s heart melt.) He was also holding me accountable.
At the end of the two weeks, Michael asked, “Am I done?” I congratulated him and thanked him for his efforts and wished him a great summer vacation. “Thanks,” he replied. Two months later, Michael Brown was dead.
The circumstances surrounding this moment in time have provoked peaceful as well as violent responses. There has been destruction of property, looting and injuries. There has also been a mass effort towards clean up, repair and reconciliation.
I beg all adults and authority figures to remember to try several strategies when encountering youth you don’t know, beginning with a warm greeting and a kinder courtesy request to evoke simple compliance.
At the mall, I sometimes approach a couple of youth in extremely saggy pants and I say, “Hi, I am sorry to bother you, but could you make an old lady happy by pulling up your pants a bit?” They usually flash a broad smile and respond with, “Sure,” and a tug at their waistbands.
In my mind, simple courtesy will get us one step closer towards bridging the gaps.
This column first appeared in the Ferguson Times.
