Racism

I’ll repeat what I’ve written in this space many times before. America is far more racist than it admits or even understands. It is pervasive and privileged in ways not known by the very person who holds racist views. That's what makes it insidious, and systemic.

All throughout President Obama’s presidency I said racism was the primary cause of political opposition to him and his administration. History is telling that story today in ways we could not see during his administration. Many people didn’t want to think racism was that large an element in America’s life.

But it was and is. We can admit it. In fact, we must admit it if we are to eliminate it from our very lives.

In his coming memoir, Barack Obama says that Trumpism is the result of the discomfort felt by many Americans having a black man in the White House. He goes on with more evidence of this, but it is a well thought out conclusion. I agree with him. I agreed with this position even while he was president. Sad but true I was correct. I did not want to be correct.

The very fact that our police departments arrest more blacks than whites should be proof of America’s racism. The fact that the prisons have 50% black populations is more proof. The fact that drug addiction is punishable by imprisonment is another proof.

Now add to that proof the police killings of black suspects. Most of those killed would never have been convicted of the crime of which they were suspected. The killings are a manifestation of systemic racism on the part of police. They expand that racism to fear of black people. The results are clear.

Many black citizens are wealthy, entrepreneurs, scientists, actors, innovators and inventors. Many are also extraordinary artists. They are part of our life and culture. They are as American as apple pie.

Yet we don’t admit it.

The sad truth is, that a large part of Black America is held back by poor education, healthcare and poverty. Just imagine what bounties would be realized if they were provided the same opportunities as white children growing up. It is staggering to consider. It is also a reality check that our society would achieve more, be more adaptive to change and benefit from a higher quality of life.

We hold back America and her promise when we hold back the Black Community. Or any other discriminated group. Society is an all for one and one for all concept. If any part of us suffers, we all suffer. The opposite is true as well – the better off any one part is, we all benefit.

Trumpism is proof positive that bigotry is alive and well in America. It is time to recognize it and eliminate it from our national character.

While we are at it, do the same with discrimination against women, gays, disabled, and every other sort of ‘difference’ we manage to deprecate.

November 17, 2020