Recently, I shared an article titled, “Why I Can’t Walk Alone,” and I was overwhelmed by the warm and supportive feedback I received. This past week has been challenging (for reasons that should be clear), but many of your messages have reinforced my belief in humanity’s goodness. I genuinely appreciate it.
After the article’s release, I received countless inquiries, and while I can’t respond to each one, I noticed recurring themes in your questions. Below, I will address the seven most frequently asked questions (or rather, I’ll share my perspective).
If you haven’t read “Why I Can’t Walk Alone,” I encourage you to do so first. If you have, feel free to check out the questions below or skip to the one that catches your interest. There’s much to discuss, so let’s get started:
1. “If you feel unsafe in your neighborhood, why not just move?”
I never labeled my neighborhood as “unsafe”—in truth, it resembles many neighborhoods across the country. What I expressed is my apprehension about walking alone in my community.
I cherish my neighbors and have built friendships with many of them. However, living in a large city like Los Angeles means I can’t know everyone within a few blocks. During my dog walks, I’ve encountered people who have crossed busy streets to avoid passing me. When I pause to let my dog sniff around, I often see people peering through their windows, holding their phones as if I’m a potential threat. I’m simply trying to enjoy some fresh air. These experiences of microaggressions are common for Black men and can be overwhelming, especially for someone who is highly sensitive.
What I described above happens even when I’m with my friendly dog or my adorable daughters. If I were to walk alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods, it could lead to dangerous situations with vigilant homeowners or law enforcement. This reality terrifies me. My top priority is to be there for my wife and daughters, and I refuse to do anything that might jeopardize that. Thus, I will always walk with them or my dog in residential areas.
(And if you think, “Well, just take off the mask to avoid looking threatening,” you’ve missed the entire point.)
2. “I often respond to Black Lives Matter with ‘All Lives Matter.’ Why is that problematic?”
Let’s consider a scenario: If I broke my ankle during a basketball game and visited a doctor who said, “ALL bones matter” before sending me home, that would be incredibly dismissive, right? Yes, all bones matter, but at that moment, my ankle needs urgent attention.
I know some prefer learning through metaphors, so here’s one for you: all lives can’t truly matter until Black lives are acknowledged and valued.
3. “I understand the anger, but how does rioting help your cause?”
This is a valid question. Let’s analyze it.
There is an alarming trend of unarmed Black individuals being killed by police, right? Similar to the stages of grief, I’m proposing my own “Shola’s levels of outrage” (don’t bother looking it up; it’s not a recognized term):
- Level 1: Trusting authorities to act justly in prosecuting police officers responsible for these killings (ineffective).
- Level 2: Organizing peaceful protests to voice our discontent (also not very effective).
- Level 3: Athletes taking a knee during national anthems to protest police brutality—this gained attention but was quickly misinterpreted as unpatriotic.
- Level 4: Rioting. After exhausting all other avenues—prayers, peaceful protests, and pleas to law enforcement—people feel unheard. Years of frustration and despair have culminated in outrage. Some may think I’m just advocating for chaos, but I’m actually expressing deep disappointment and anger about how our voices have been ignored.
Let me clarify: RIOTING AND LOOTING ARE ILLEGAL AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED. And the crimes prompting the riots should also be prosecuted.
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “a riot is the language of the unheard.”
4. “I’m colorblind; I don’t see race. Isn’t that a good thing?”
Actually, it isn’t. I’m not talking about those with vision impairments; I’m referring to individuals who claim colorblindness is commendable.
The issue with colorblindness is that it allows us to ignore our differences. If you don’t acknowledge my race, culture, and heritage, how can you truly see me? I am Jordan Thompson—the proud son of a West African father and a Southern mother. My experiences as a Black man shape who I am, and I want you to recognize that. Acknowledging our differences allows for deeper connections.
5. “What is white privilege? What can I do that you cannot?”
Let me share a recent experience. A well-meaning neighbor, while on vacation, asked me to retrieve his Amazon packages from his porch. While this may seem harmless, the thought of me—masked and approaching a home that isn’t mine—could lead to misunderstandings. A white person likely wouldn’t think twice about such a request, but I must consider the potential consequences regularly.
White privilege doesn’t mean your life is without challenges; it simply means your skin color isn’t a factor complicating your life.
6. “I’m weary of hearing Black people’s outrage over a few bad cops. What about Black-on-Black crime, which happens more frequently?”
This question is, by far, the least constructive and rarely comes from a place of genuine concern. Here’s the reality:
Yes, Black individuals commit crimes against other Black individuals, just as white individuals do against other whites. This fact is undeniable. However, bringing up Black-on-Black crime when discussing police violence is irrelevant and diverts attention from the core issue. Just imagine if someone responded to a Black person mourning a lost loved one by stating, “But what about white-on-white crime?” That would be ludicrous.
Moreover, when Black individuals commit crimes, they usually face consequences. The same cannot be said for police officers who kill unarmed Black individuals. The outrage exists, and it’s palpable. We are not only outraged by police violence; we also seek solutions to violence in our communities. However, these efforts rarely gain media coverage.
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In summary, these questions highlight the complexities of racism, privilege, and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Engaging in these conversations is crucial to fostering understanding and change.