Philip Uwumarogie
Jul 22, 2017 · 2 min read

I thank you all for what has been a most engaging and instructive conversation. It is so wonderful in these days of corrosive, abusive social media behaviour to find one with such depth of perspective, civility and no small amount of intellectual rigour.

I was initially shocked when I read the title of SOB’s piece and then I read it. Then I read the discussions between Sherry,Nemesis and Nathan and I feel thankful for all the perspectives you have shared. It was very deepening. I understood SOB’s position but was initially closer to Sherry in that I thought that empathy for Justine was still called for. She did not ask to be a martyr for white people’s lack of emotion and empathy towards their fellow human beings in reverse situations. But I really thank you Nemesis for your perspective on not projecting who we are or where we are into our reading of SOB’s piece. I think my takeaway is that I can still empathise with Justin’s family and SOB’s position. Lord knows as an African who has travelled to other parts and lived in the UK, I have had my share of subtle, casual and overt racism. Yet I must fight to maintain my empathy and not just for Justine or even the multiple victims of the overly militarised and over-armed US society, but the even more numerable victims of the pogroms and mismanagement back home. This world is so messed up. It is so difficult to stay sane and unwounded if you truly want to empathise with the victims of the various ills. So one must try, every day… Still I thank you all for allowing me to see that this struggle does not mean sitting in judgment with those who have given it up and just choose to protect themselves.

    Philip Uwumarogie

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