Racism in America

Growing up in New England (Western Massachusetts, 1954-1960; Upstate New York, 1960-1965) I became aware of racism in my country. This awareness was a surprise to me: that racism existed at all in my country; that the injustice of it was palpable; that the history of racism in America began before our nation’s founding (late 1500’s); that it continued through the Civil War hundreds of years later (1865); that it continued with hideous riots, beatings, lynching’s, discrimination into my post college years (1965).

Even with the 1964 Civil Rights Act the problems were not over. By the early 1970’s I thought America had turned a corner in race relations but of course I was wrong. Racism simmered below the surface of civil society. It may have seemed abated but it truly was not. Simmered is a polite word that shrouds deep undercurrents of hostility and ugliness that occasionally broke through the surface.

Later events would demonstrate how raw our racism was (Rodney King episode). Talk with most African Americans today and simply ask how their lives have been affected by racism here in our land of opportunity and equality! They will mostly shudder and gently inform you of things you probably haven’t heard before.

In the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential election racism is on full display yet again. I supported and forwarded a Facebook mention and photo thanking Michelle Obama for her graceful eight years in the White House. Although many likes and nice comments resulted, a bunch of nasty comments also followed that literally transported me back to the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was pure ugliness.

America still suffers from severe racism. Although we usually think of this as anti African American, it also extends to Hispanics, Asian, and immigrants of all nationalities. The common thread in this racism is pretty simple: If you are different from me visually then you are inferior and suspect as to your value to the American culture. I don’t really want anything to do with you and prefer you to be invisible or go way.

That’s an ugly picture isn’t it? It makes my blood run cold that any of us in America would feel this way about another human being, especially someone living and working among us. And for generations, even!

I know some will say this is normal human behavior. It isn’t. And more importantly in America this is totally unacceptable.

I know that those who are victims of discrimination have negative feelings about America in general and toward the mostly white population. Those negative feelings embrace mistrust, misconceptions on the fairness of our society in general, and outright hostility. All worthy reactions to injustice.

Breathless with this realization I examine the broader reality of discrimination and racism. They are very much the same having their roots in difference from the norm. Gay people are separated by many because they are different from the norm. Smart people are likewise separated from the rest of the population – their grasp of issues and complex facts and theories makes others uncomfortable. Asian immigrants have acclimated to America beautifully but they are not understood – they look different, have a radically different culture and cuisine, and are very well educated and accomplished in most life choices and careers. Because Asians are perceived as very different (but light skinned!) they are left alone in the main. Many Asians think of themselves as invisible. And that is the form of discrimination with which they live. Not nice.

Jews face continuing discrimination and distancing by the general population of America. And because of that there are millions of people who believe the Holocaust was a fiction of history, not a fact. The ugliness of the Holocaust is so huge many people choose to avoid it and not believe it happened. Six million people and more were exterminated. The facts are real and true.

The discrimination against Jews allows Americans the ‘freedom’ to discriminate against all other people following religions different from their own. So Islam becomes a target. India’s polyglot of religious practices becomes another mistrusted center of attention.

And of course immigration itself becomes a focal point of differences and religions and cultures that are so very different from the rest of us. The seed of discrimination born to full life becomes racism in many forms.

This story is America’s story. Immigration and assimilation. Adaptation of differences. Time to get to know new people and appreciate them, see them as whole individuals with blood, sweat and tears. A movement of doubt throughout all of our history has produced the greatest melting pot of cultures in the history of mankind. And that is the focal point we ought to be dedicating our lives to.

If you are ignorant of history, or lack appreciation for religious thought in its many forms, or cultures and cuisines that spice up our public life, then you are likely to fall prey to discriminate against others who are different from you.

This is a mark of ignorance, not superiority.

Best we deal with this scourge once again. We have lazy people among us who refuse to learn about the basics of social skills. They miss out on so much that is rich and exciting about life. They are the poorer ones, not the rest of us who get it.

And yes, the racism seems to be housed in the victorious Trump supporters. How very sad.

November 22, 2016