Walking in other people’s shoes puts us on a path of understanding

There is a reality we have to deal with: the distrust between the black community and the police.

In some cities, there are encounter programs between police officers and community members and activists. They give the individual a few days of police training. Then they suit the person up in a police uniform, give them an inoperable weapon and they are taken into a police simulation lot.

Related: What you are not understanding about institutional racism

The simulation I saw involved a prominent African American community activist. In the simulation lot, there are “suspects” who are actors. But the suspect may or may not be “armed.” They may or may not try to kill you or they may comply with your request. You don’t know. And that is the point.

The example that I watched placed the man in three different scenarios. He failed two of the three. He had to make split second decisions to defend his life. And he failed the protocol. After the experience, he said his mind had been changed. He said, “I get it, I’ve now walked in an officer’s shoes.”

I would like to see white officers go through similar programs to see what’s it’s like to experience life in problematic communities.

There is something about walking in other people’s shoes that puts people on a path of understanding. It’s easy to hate the “other.” It’s hard to hate people you share life experiences with.