Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Ferguson Files wants to hear from the voices of St. Louis. The site was initially formed to present the reporting of its founder, journalist David DesRoches, but it has since evolved to become a forum for people to express their views on what’s taking place in this St. Louis suburb, and beyond.

Are you a student who lives in Ferguson? We want to hear from you. A police officer covering the Ferguson beat? Let us know your thoughts. Are you a disabled resident who can’t leave your house because of the blockades? Let us know. Tell us your story. Are you out of work, looking for a job? Tired of the racial tensions? Write about it. Take photos. Record video. Send it to us. We can’t guarantee we’ll post everything (we won’t print libelous or incendiary material), but we’ll look at it all.

The focus should be on not only what’s wrong with racism in Ferguson and in the United States, but what can be done about it. How can we heal as a city, as a nation? What is it like being young and black in a racially tense neighborhood? What is like to be white and always made to feel like you’re the bad guy? How can we bridge these gaps and find unity as human beings?

The focus should be on positive forward movement. No attacking. No finger pointing. Call out the problems, yes. Call out the roots of the problems, absolutely. But if you’re going to call foul, you better come with a solution.

Let’s get this taboo topic out in the open, once and for all, in all truth and honesty. Race is neither something to be ignored, nor is it something to be overemphasized. It is what it is — a physical and cultural construct. Nothing more. Nothing less. It is something to be celebrated, not feared. Embraced, not abandoned. Liberals pretend we’re beyond race while conservatives pretend race invades everything. Both are right, yet both are wrong. Let’s talk about why they’re right, and why they’re wrong. Let’s do it with positivity and respect and dedication. Let’s find a way to reach a single simple goal: To heal the nation of racial animosity.

If you’re up for the task, send us your thoughts or ideas or photos or YouTube links to FergusonFiles2014@gmail.com . Who knows, maybe this little website could help end a conversation that has taken thousands of years too long to complete.