While having a well-chosen facilitator may have helped, what transpired shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when the response from many of those in the dominant majority was effective variants “What’s the big deal?” and “Why are you making a Federal Case out of this”. A behavioral pattern most marginalized groups in our society have grown quite familiar with…and increasingly frustrated with.
Interesting considering some would think it’s common sense such responses don’t tend to ameliorate/calm the problematic underlying tensions at the root of this incident.
Just think of how receptive a judge, parent, or employer would be to a wayward child/teen who responded in the same manner when confronted with the negative consequences of his/her crimes/actions whether intended or not.