Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin continued a conversation about racial issues, history and tension that began locally with a larger audience by having three local residents resume their discussion in a session with the Indiana Judicial College.
On April 13, Benjamin moderated the continued discussion at the Spring Judicial College with local residents John Sims, Jerone Wood, Chris Scott and Kyle Hendricks, who attended school together when growing up in Columbus.
The four, with Sims moderating, participated in a keynote panel discussion offered for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast in Columbus earlier this year.
In a news release, Benjamin said the four set an example about how to have what historically has been an uncomfortable and tough discussion about topics that most people tend to avoid or refuse to have.
Benjamin had listened to the panel discussion for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day presentation and felt the “insightful and respectful conversation, and their example of how to have the conversation, needed to continue.”
“It was honest, raw and free of judgment in order to allow each to speak and listen, with an open mind and open heart,” the judge said.
Benjamin, who is chairwoman of the Indiana Judicial Education Committee, shared the virtual presentation from the King day presentation with the committee, who agreed with her assessment.
When the panel continued the discussion on April 13, Benjamin was moderator and the panel took questions from judges from around the state about racial inequities and issues, with more than 350 judges listening in through Zoom.
Benjamin said that for more than several years, Indiana’s judges receive multiple training sessions on inclusivity, bias, prejudices and equity, but there is always something impactful from hearing stories and facts from people’s experiences and having a discussion to aid in further education and understanding.
Pointing out that the U.S. Supreme Court has stated that in order to address racism and the lingering effects of racism, a democracy has the capacity — and the duty — to learn from its past mistakes, to discover and confront persisting biases, and to engage in respectful and rational deliberation to rise above those flaws and injustices, Benjamin said.
“These conversations are not ones to shy away from, but to embrace. It’s past time. We know these conversations between diverse persons can be awkward, uncomfortable and difficult, but the progress and outcomes from them and even moreso, the friendships and bonding that then have the ability to develop, can be irreplaceable.”
Benjamin commended the four panelists for their efforts, saying their conversations will play a significant role in helping people understand each other, and moving the community forward in ensuring that all are invested in equal justice and treatment for everyone.
