{child_flags:featured}Reflections on broadcaster’s ‘This I Believe’

{child_byline}By SKYLER ARCHIBALD

For Seaside Signal{/child_byline}

One of the most famous alumni of Washington State University, a place I’m very fond of, is the late Edward R. Murrow.

Murrow was a broadcast journalist and war correspondent who rose to prominence during World War II. After the war, Murrow continued working in media, and produced a landmark program called “This I Believe.” The show was a five-minute radio program that encouraged both famous and everyday people to share short essays about their lives.

The events of our day have inspired me to write my own “This I Believe” essay and I offer it in homage of Murrow.

I believe that this pandemic has had significant consequences on all of us. It has made it very difficult and even impossible for many to feel peace, happiness and have strong emotional health.

I believe that it is incredibly sad that well over 100,000 people have died from this disease — just in this country. Our area has been spared for the most part but the number of deaths is staggering and sobering. I have a good friend with East Coast roots who has lost her sister, mother and grandmother to COVID-19 and I mourn for her losses and those of so many other families.

I believe that the pandemic has affected our local economy and hurt many wonderful businesses. It’s affected employees of those businesses. It’s affected the agency I help run, and those that utilize our services.

I also believe, however, that there are recent developments in our country that are more pressing and important than the pandemic.

I believe that we’re all created equal. Or, I used to believe that at least. That’s right, I once thought that equality and opportunity were assured for all.

I believed that everyone born in our country had the same opportunities that I did.

I believed that my accomplishments were the result of my determination, my intelligence, my perseverance or my hard work. But that isn’t the full truth.

I believe that I am coming from a place of immense privilege and that that privilege is because of my race. I’ve had opportunities because of my race, and I haven’t had things taken away from me because of my race.

I believe that there has been systemic oppression of black people in our country since slaves were brought here more than 400 years ago. That alone is a travesty of epic proportion for which there is no recompense.

I believe that racial disparity is on full display and well documented. But if you’re white, you must be willing to see it, and be willing to acknowledge that your race has given you an advantage.

I believe that my privilege is not a badge of honor. I’m not proud of it. I’m embarrassed. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and the victims of the Charleston, South Carolina church shootings in 2015 are part of that embarrassment. Those deaths would not have happened, had the victims been white.

I believe that there have been, unfortunately, countless other incidents that have only further contributed to the oppression.

I believe that history teaches us some truly awful things about who we were, and if we try to hide away those atrocities, we will repeat them.

I believe that the privilege of my race affords me many things: the ability to be at ease in my community, to move freely without judgment or repercussion, to be judged as who I am.

I believe that my privilege has afforded me much of what I have: my upbringing, my education, my support network, my job and countless other opportunities.

I believe that this privilege is painful. Painful to those who have been oppressed and now fight for change. Painful to me because I know I’m privileged, and yet I want to pretend otherwise. Painful because we either won’t acknowledge this larger-than-life problem, or won’t each take action to stop it.

I believe that I need to be honest with each of you on where I stand. You may stand with me, you may not. But I know that my race has given me an enormous life advantage, and I need to acknowledge that today.

I believe that my privilege is not a badge of honor. I’m not proud of it. I’m embarrassed. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and the victims of the Charleston, South Carolina church shootings in 2015 are part of that embarrassment. Those deaths would not have happened, had the victims been white.

I believe Black Lives Matter.

I believe that.

Skyler Archibald is executive director of the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District.