Two Guys Talking Racial Tension

Starting a Conversation (Updated)

(St. Louis, MO) – We need to talk! The noise in our nation is deafening and that’s why we need to talk. So I called Marcus Wilson. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd lost his life while lying face down on a Minneapolis street. The knee of police officer Derek Chauvin was on the back of his neck.

Floyd’s tragic death has sparked a national outrage, international protests and riots in many of America’s cities. This controversial killing is the latest example of what many believe to be systemic racism in the United States.

In our attempt to cut through the clutter of personal bias and deep rooted defensive reactions, I reached out to former University of Evansville basketball great Marcus Wilson. The former Missouri Valley Conference ‘Player of the Year’ is the current director of a North St. Louis YMCA. He announces games for the MVC and hosts his own podcast ‘Details of Life with Marcus Wilson’.

Working In the Community

Marcus is the Executive Director of the Bayer YMCA where they are undergoing at $2.5 million renovation project. Their expressed hopes relate to offering more educational, athletic and mentorship opportunities for inner city children. Wilson is committed to providing programming and excellent facilities to supplement the growth potential of the children near the Bayer YMCA.

Two Guys Talking

Marcus Wilson scored over 2,000 collegiate basketball points and was a great basketball player. For more background on his basketball accomplishments and how he ended up working in a St. Louis YMCA, you can read our two stories from two years ago.

(Evansville Great Marcus Wilson & Wilson Leadership Lessons)

Our interview was conducted live on Facebook, because I wanted it ‘live’ unedited and if need be, messy. I asked Marcus about his immediate response to the killing of George Floyd. He says Floyd’s death brought about a deeper awareness of pain and disappointment.

 

 

Often white Amercans are confused when they see protests and while very few people embrace riots and looting, routinely Caucasian Americans become angry at violent or destructive protests.

While never condoning the violence and looting, Wilson says he understands the stirred emotions of many African-Americans.

 

 

Wilson talks about his experiences during the clean up after one of the recent protests where looting did occur.

 

 

Wilson is quick to point out that EVERYONE needs to be listening and learning. While he is glad people want to hear his story, he believes it is important for him to also listen and learn from people of a lighter skin tone.

He sees glimmers of hope concerning the racial divide because he hears white people embracing the ‘Black Lives Matter’ phrase. He can see more majority race people having an openness to discuss and listen to the struggles facing minority or marginalized citizens.

During Part One of our wide-ranging interview we talk a little about the YMCA, Marcus’ playing career and some of his initial reactions and comments on the current social instability. In Part Two we discuss the details of ‘systemic racism’, ‘black-on-black crime’ and other hot topic questions.

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