But is that the only explanation for a series of troubling scenarios being played out live and in color in a multimedia driven society. Or are there other causes that lie beneath the surface of our perceptions that play a role in the inter-actions between two individuals from different cultural backgrounds?

When one examines the differences in the way we communicate and respond to conflict there are several, not so subtle, ways for us to misinterpret one’s responses as hostile or uncaring. Research shows that a large percentage (55-88%) of Black and Latinos tend to communicate in expressive and feeling-based styles that are often misinterpreted by Whites as emotional and irrational. Whites (55-88%) tend to communicate in matter of fact, non-emotive, monotone styles that can be misinterpreted by Blacks and Latinos as non-caring and in your face.

 Add this to what happens when we are in conflict and our “culturally learned” responses to challenging situations, and it’s easy to see where breakdowns often occur. Dr. Mitch Hammer, creator of the Intercultural Conflict Inventory (ICS) says “Conflict can be present in a range of social situations and can arise between strangers over the smallest of issues”. Dr Hammer states that conflict involves two elements.” First, conflict arises when we disagree with one another and is more than a misperception or misunderstanding. When in conflict we usually have substantive disagreements in what we want or need. Second, conflict gives rise to affective or emotional reactions.” This can heighten stress, anxiety, frustration, anger and even fear”.

While there are many variables one thing is clear, our responses to conflict are different enough that our reactions to each other can lead to distrust and even volatility. For example, research shows when Blacks (55-88%) are in conflict they tend to respond with emotionally expressive and direct strategies. Whites (55-88%) tend to respond to conflict with emotionally restrained direct strategies. These differences in response can often put the two on a direct path for confrontation. On the one hand, when an individual using an emotionally restrained style sees emotion, their trust goes down and their anxiety level rises. And when the other individual is using an emotionally expressive style sees little or no emotion coming from the other person, their trust level goes down and their anxiety rises. This creates a high level of distrust and anxiety between the two parties.

Couple all of this with our unconscious bias affecting how we perceive one another and the stage is set for a potential volatile and even deadly confrontation. Whether or not one believes Ms. Bland committed suicide or was murdered once she got to the jail, one must examine the events leading up to her arrest for a simple traffic infraction and her eventual incarceration and subsequent death and ask, “How could this have been prevented?” and “Could cultural differences have played a role and  to what extent?”

Elmer Dixon is President of Executive Diversity Services and has trained law enforcement officers on the Role of Culture and the Challenges in Policing Diverse Communities.”