How do we heal after the Ferguson grand jury decision?

I think that things can change if everyone could truly be accountable in everything they do. The face on this issue is Ferguson, but that is not what African Americans are fighting. You can't deny that, depending upon who raised you (parents, community, church, media, friends, family), your opinion about others are formed for you. People of color are feared by a lot of white people. Their opinion of black people comes from others.

It's no picnic for white people either. Many of my white friends feel guilty because of what was done generations ago. They live under a stigma just as African Americans do. Whites don't want to be considered as brutal, demeaning people and vice versa.

To say we have to let go of the past and create our future's together, is an understatement. You can forgive yourself right now and be a new person. Accepting others becomes possible by truly accepting yourself first.

I thank goodness that I grew up in New York City. I had friends of every color. I love soul, rock, reggae...etc. I love eating foods from different cultures. If a friend welcomed me to their church, I felt honored to come. It wasn't about the religion. It was about someone wanting to share their life with me. I love being welcomed into a home and experiencing how they live, laugh and love. I embrace the differences in us all. I think that's what life is all about.

Nothing to "heal"

How about people start taking responsibility for their actions.

If some punk ass wannabe thug wants to throw punches at a cop and try to take his gun, then maybe someone should have taught him that probably wouldn't be a good idea... That if you do, you may just get dropped!

As long as this exists, we never will!

I have stayed away from this subject for several reasons, but here it goes.
When people stop putting their own agendas ahead of the truth and justice then and only then will we be able to get past this and any other incident like this.

Honestly, I don't think racial differences, racial profiling, race cards, racial stereotypes, etc. will ever come to an end or heal, until we as a country/society stop placing emphasis on race either negatively or positively. With President Obama, I get it, the first black American president (even though there was a bit of the population for a minute said he was too light of a black man...whatever that means). But we still make a big deal anytime a person who isn't Caucasian takes on a new position: the first African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and so on. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate progress but until we can just celebrate the individual for their accomplishment and stop annotating their race or skin color the negative side of the race will also perpetuate.

Now, I know, I will get some negative comments or even thumbs-down votes but here goes... This would include different organizations that promote minority groups such as...NAACP, UNCF, and the like. I am not saying they are a bad thing, but so long as there are organizations differentiating the population and favoring one race or skin color over another there will never be a state of equality.

And can I say one more thing, the media, as usual, doesn't help with any of this. Hope I can still participate in RP discussions after this. And I am not racist or white supremacist or anything of that sort...

CPT Maurelli, I've said before that the more we concentrate on our differences the more we fail to capitalize on our similarities. The Ferguson Fiasco is a prime example. There are legitimate issues on all sides. However, the main issue isn't about equality, it's about fairness for all. It is about the arrogance of assumptions on both sides of the issue, including arrogance fed by certain media. And it is of course, respect for the rule of law and the democratic process to change it. I am reminded of being a soldier on guard duty without any ammo lest I shoot someone. Doesn't make much sense, does it? We need good police whom are truly representative of the communities they protect. People who make a career out of rioting in the streets serve no constructive purpose, especially when such acts destroy people and property. That is just another example of unfairness. We may never know the true facts of the case, but we do know the Grand Jury Decision. Reasonable rational people accept it. Unreasonable, irrational people choose to use it as more justification for their retaliatory acts.
Simply stated, two wrongs do not make one right. If Ferguson is to move forward, if the country is to move forward, we must focus on Fairness for all, not just people we agree with, but for people with whom we disagree. That is the essence of a great nation, not a tribal country.

We need to heal by parents doing their job and teaching kids right from wrong. I am glad the Grand Jury didn't indict the officer. Burning down the neighborhood and looting and doing damage to property will not create healing. ...The bottom line was the individual was a felony suspect and escalated his encounter with the police officer.

No need. Not injured. The only people who are affected by this are those who are too ignorant to realize that their poster boy for racial inequality was a thug and a bully. If they want to be taken seriously they need to up their game and pick a different mascot. Until then no one is going to take them seriously. There are numerous members of the black community who are just as appalled by the actions of the criminals and race baiters as the rest of society is. so let's stop buying into the victim mentality and get on with building and reinforcing our communities.

fortunately, there will be no healing because the Jesse Jackson's , Louis Farrakhan's, Al Sharpton's, of the world make millions off the pain and suffering of others. Farrakhan was just advocating violence but do you think he would be down there casting stones next to the people he leads? Hell no he wouldn't. He will be sitting in his mansion, watching it on his big screen TV, while enjoying a fine meal. Why can't people see how phony people are?

I have read many posts talking about healing. As regretably as it is....there is not going to be healing. Why, racism unfortunately! The USA has come a helluva long way in overcoming racism. However, will we overcome it....not in our life time.

As long as we have the Sharptons, Jacksons, Ayrian Nations, KKK, and other White Suprememist groups and gangs from other minority communities, as a nation we will not heal. Ferguson is another example of why. Until people accept the fact that it's time to MOVE ON and not allow themselves to be motivated by the rants and ravings of the race baiters.

Over the last 40-50 years the White Supremist groups have lost more and more of their influence, they still exist, but less than 1 tenth of 1% pay them any attention...why, people moved on, they learned to accept reality and the fact that as a nation we are all equal (whether they liked it or not)....your personal opinion does not trump the law of the land and the rights granted to all of us. The law is designed for ALL of us! No race is special any more.

Will Furgeson heal? NO! But it will have to "MOVE ON". But that is not going to happen as long as people react and respond to the racial instigators, because they do not like the verdict. They are not the law, they are a bunch of talking heads creating more racial tension and destruction of minority owned businesses in the community. What will the instigators do to help re-build the community they incited to riot....not a damn thing...they will be on the next plane (1st class) heading off to do more damage somewhere else.

Why aren't these instigators preaching, don't steal, don't break the law; if a cop tells you to stop....damnit stop! Why are they not preaching for better schools, teachers, programs for children; safer streets, etc. in these inner city communities where murder, shootings and robbing occurs every single day/night?

Why is it these instigators have not been to Chicago where inner city killings happen every day? If they can cause all the damage they have in ferguson, just think of what they could do in the inner city of Chicago if they could get those neighborhoods to to stand up and riot against the gangs and thugs and lawlessness that occurs there everyday. The people who live there no who they are! Why aren't the instigators ranting in those communities.

Why not do this in Detroit, LA, and other communities where these issues dominate the lives of so many every single day.. Why, because it's easier to claim racism and get people aggitated then it is to preach, it's time to clean up our own mess! It's easier to incite and aggitate when blame can be pointed at the White man instead of let's clean up our own mess. It's our neighborhood.

Who is going to clean up Ferguson, MO...not Sharpton, Jackson, Instigating Media Heads, Holder nor the President!

HEALING! We are not going to heal from this or any event like it......Stop allowing yourself to be victimized by those who do not have your best interest at heart....MOVE ON!