In his book “The Politics of Experience,” Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing pointed out that we can see other people’s outward behavior, but not their experience of a situation at any particular moment. Although we may sympathize with what someone is going through, we can never fully experience what they have been through because that experience is not our own.
This message rings especially true when we talk about race, a topic that’s been pushed to the forefront of the conversation nationally in the wake of recent deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police. In Franklin County, where estimates from the United States Census Bureau indicate more than 90 percent of our residents are white, many of us may find it hard to imagine what life is like for someone of a different skin color.
That is where we hope journalism can play an important role, by broadening our understanding of the experiences of people who are different than us not just racially, but also economically, politically, theologically, etc. Storytelling has the potential to bridge divides, if we just take the time to listen and make an effort to understand.
We want to listen. We want to hear about life experiences that are different from our own, and we want to share those stories with all of you, in hopes that you’re open to listening as well.
That’s why this week we’re running in-depth profiles of men and women who, simply because of the color of their skin, have faced adversity. Their first-hand accounts help us discover what racism and prejudice look like in our rural, largely white corner of the world, even if it’s something we haven’t experienced on a personal level.
Take it from a Greenfield resident who was called the N-word by a passerby while she was campaigning for a seat on the School Committee, or who has had to counteract assumptions about her economic class based on her skin color. Take it from a former candidate for the state House of Representatives, who was told by a constituent that she would not vote for her because of her accent. Or take it from a mother of three boys, who worries about her children’s safety when they walk to school or the store.
Perhaps you’ll recognize some of the people who are sharing their stories. Others you might be introduced to for the first time. They are all our neighbors.
Recognizing that which you do not know is an important quality if you are to continue to grow and mature. We recognize that our county — and as such, our newsroom — lacks diversity, and there is much we can learn about the experiences of people of color. The intention is that this series be the first step in promoting this discussion.
But please know that the end of the week will not mark the end of our coverage of racism, prejudice and inequality. We have no doubt there are many more worthwhile stories throughout the county that didn’t get to be featured this week, and surely there are more community perspectives on systemic racism still to share. There is also undoubtedly a long road ahead when its comes to tackling racism and inequality.
These problems can’t be solved in a day, and they can’t be solved in one story, either. A former editor here often used a metaphor with young reporters, saying that stories are like stripes on a zebra. Each story reveals another stripe, until someday, you can see the full animal — the big picture.
Please be patient as we continue to reveal these stripes. We, too, look forward to seeing the whole picture become clearer.