Teresa McRae

I have so far avoided any mention of the “crisis” in Ferguson, MO. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion, it’s more that it is so close to me that I don’t know if I can be objective.

Ferguson is 14 miles from where I live on the south side of St Louis. So, the situation really is in my backyard so to speak. I have quite a number of friends that live in Ferguson or near there.

When the rioting and looting started, my husband and I looked at each other and kind of scratched our heads and said Ferguson? Ferguson has, for at least the 22 years I’ve lived here, been a quiet, nice and friendly sort of place. It still is.

It is one of the many incorporated areas that make up the greater St Louis city and county. St Louis is very large and spread out and Ferguson is a small section of this metropolis. Lately, it would seem that it is the only area around here and maybe rightly so, it deserves this distinction.

I hear that Ferguson, or rather the problems in a Ferguson have made Time Magazines Cover. Of course that is the greater issue here. Ferguson had become infamous. A place of racial division and strife.

St Louis is now and always has been a racially divided city. It is a fact accepted by most who live here and frankly, no one seemed to be too concerned before Ferguson. Yes, there are those who are always at the forefront of promoting racial equality and harmony. As in most large cities, there are integrated neighborhoods along with the opposite. There are many who work tirelessly to improve the conditions of those in this city who are most in need.

I live in a mixed neighborhood. Mostly black but quite a lot of whites also. I am one half of an interracial couple and have been for 24 years. I am happy in my neighborhood and plan to grow old in this house. Yet, I could do more and I know it.

It grieves my heart that a young black man is dead. It grieves my heart that store owners lost their goods. It grieves my heart that a formerly quiet, nice area has become a war zone.

I don’t have answers. I’m as guilty as the next person of turning a blind eye to the racial divisions here. I make no judgements on who is right or wrong In this unimaginable tragedy.

What I do want to say, is that I will do my part to treat others with equality and justice. To love my fellow man, no matter the color of his skin. I will continue to pray for the family of Mike Brown and for all the families involved. I will also pray for the police of this city, In hopes that whether wrong or right, they will never feel the need to use guns on a young man unless absolutely necessary.

There has been too much hatred. There has been too much death. Just yesterday, the thought of that journalist, Jim Foley, beheaded by terrorist brought me to tears. There is hate all over.

Hatred needs to end.