The protests need to stop and stop now. If they started due to the murder of George Floyd, ALL of the police involved have been arrested and are in custody. Wasn’t that the premise? Now let the judicial system work. But to say The US is a racist society is absurd. Why?
To say that there country wide systemic is ridiculous. Why? There are more people of color in sports (since Robinson). There are more people of color who own businesses or at the head of many companies and major corporations. There are doctors, lawyers, scientists and other professionals that are people of color! Who had a knee on their necks!
However, there are still areas in the inner cities that have major issues. Look at NYC how many years did and will NYCHA residents have to suffer with no heat, no hot water, no water, broken elevators, pests and just poor living conditions! Where are the protests? Why does it still exist? What about the countless Black on Black shootings that result in innocent children and people including police being mudered! Where are the protests? Where is BLM when it happens in those communities weekly!
We have had more Black Politicians on the local level, mayors of cities, in Congress and a Black President for four years! Why weren’t these issues addressed and corrected then!
Now let’s stop the pigeonhole action of wrapping everything as systemic racism.
I think we have to redefine and separate Racism from Racist and Racist from Prejudice. In my opinion from historical events Racism is the systematic and ideological disparity between races. Example specific labels for White or Black only bathrooms or water fountains. The purpose is to make an entire race appear subservient to another race or races. I believe in the year 2019 the blatant Black versus White Racism of that sort is gone. Are there other forms of racism? Of course but not solely based on one color or race, now it can be based on language, religion and place of origin. However, the act of racism is not conducted by a National, State or City mandate. Racism is more “locally based”. Neighborhoods with quiet rules of occupancy bias or stores hiring with language and nationality constraints or refusal to serve or make a person feel unwanted in their establishment.
A Racist is an individual or a group of individuals that by personal choice has a strong negative opinion or out and out hatred towards a group or groups of people and equally passionate of the superiority of their own race. Extreme groups are vocal on that hatred.
Being Prejudice seems to be inherent in all human beings! If we are honest with ourselves, I am sure at sometime you have thought or voiced a prejudice based opinion. Get cut off in your car by someone and you most likely used a curse along with a disparaging description of that person and most likely of their race, sex or ethnicity. Did you sound like Archie Bunker or George Jefferson? Watch the Spike Lee movie Do The Right Thing” that proves the point!
Everyday there is a new commercial depicting bi-racial families couples and children. Bi- racial or mixed race relationships are common place, not like back in the 70’s or even 80’s when people whispered “look at them!
We need to stop tagging the United States as a racist country. We need to stop tagging people or groups ( MAGA hat wearers) as racist especially if you have never interacted with that individual or group.
But for those people or groups that we KNOW to be racist and radical, then call them out and be just as vocal against them and their hate speeches!
As far as defunding the police….stop the nonsense. We need law and order. No matter where you are, inner city, or the suburbs, if there is a theft, incidents of domestic violence or any other crime, everyone calls 911. Just imagine if there is no one to respond!