Today is designated a National Day of Healing. Former Gov. William Winter says, “And we have an enormous job to do.” William Winter. Winter is an honorary cochair of Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, a group of corporations, public and non profit organizations that supports the healing process of citizens who feel oppressed by their religion, race, or sexual identity. The W.K. The Kellogg Foundation brought together more than 550 people across the country in California last December to help them understand how to uncover and eradicate deeply held and unconscious racist beliefs. A broad coalition and the foundation called for a National Day of Healing at the summit. More than 130 representatives from over 130 organizations attended the summit. Some will also sponsor events in their local communities. Winter states, “Healing cannot slip backward.” “We cannot allow healing to slip backwards,” Winter says. In Mississippi, community leaders, business and clergy are hosting forums, prayers and classroom lectures. In 1962, King spoke at Cornell College. King’s 1962 speech at Cornell encouraged many college students to sympathize with each other. Today, college students across the country are also working to integrate the space and have the necessary conversations to heal one another. Gregory Jackson Jr., a senior in political science at the University of Southern Mississippi was inspired to form the “Am I Next?” campaign with fellow students. This non-violent movement allows citizens to voice their concerns about the police shootings of black men and the subsequent killings. Jackson describes it as the first chance for the predominantly white campus of the University to hear from the other side. Summer 2016 was a “particularly explosive” time in America, according to Dr. Marcus Coleman, assistant professor interdisciplinary communication studies at USM. Coleman said, “It knocked out our students off their feet, as it should have.” “Collectively, they clung to each other after the shootings at unarmed black men Philando Sterling (in Louisiana), and there was a social consciousness of young people in Hattiesburg.” The “Am I Next?” community forum brought together more than 200 people on July 14. The majority of those who attended were students, but there were also community leaders, clergy, teens and their parents, Hattiesburg police and university faculty and staff. Jackson explained that Jackson’s first priority was to educate his audience. Let’s have a discussion. Let’s have a conversation about police brutality. Let’s discuss racial issues, and how citizens can peacefully exercise their rights under the law. How can we ensure our safety? Jackson suggested, “Let’s educate ourselves.” Jackson recalled Rusty Keys as a captain and investigator at the University Police Department. He advised that “the best thing you could do is to comply.” Many students from the majority black audience didn’t like that advice. They felt that even if it was followed, they might still die. Jackson, himself, says that Jackson’s family instilled in him the “to do what an officer says so that you can return home to your family” principle. Keys, who was previously a Hattiesburg Police Department officer, said that while all police officers aren’t bad, they are trained to protect their own safety. After the forum was over, there were still questions. USM’s Dr. Marcus Coleman addressed participants to continue the dialogue in the community. Coleman said that he began to plan a five-week initiative for empathy training, with “intentional discussions about difficult topics.” Twelve participants met at St. Paul Methodist Church, Hattiesburg, which was a historic location that used to house Freedom Summer, the Mississippi voter registration program in 1964. You can teach people empathy and how to communicate with them. Coleman said that this will help you build better relationships. Coleman was trained at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies several years ago. He learned how to resolve issues affecting African-American communities and how empathy can help. Lt. Chris Johnson was the assistant director of police training at Hattiesburg Police Department when word of the five-week training in empathy reached him. Johnson has been associated with the academy 14 years. He always emphasizes empathy scenarios and video models in training future law enforcement officers how to behave. The Hattiesburg Police Department joined forces with Coleman to host a five-day workshop last October as part of the three-week refresher courses for five officers who wish to transfer to the HPD. Johnson stated that Johnson wanted to improve the education of empathy, compassion, and understanding of the city’s needs. Johnny DuPree, Hattiesburg Mayor, said that he supports any training that results in a more efficient and community-driven police department. “The current headlines reminds us that empathy and de-escalation training is crucial as they each aim to build relationships and relatability between officers and communities. Johnson hopes other police departments will follow Hattiesburg’s example of partnering with outside experts in training empathy and understanding. National Healing Day encourages the bridge of differences in communities by religion, race and sexual identity, as well as law enforcement and citizens they serve. To find our more or participate in local healing day events go to http://www.dayofracialhealing.com/. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. 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