Racial Hatred In America Is Thriving

There’s been a lot of talk about racial reckoning while there’s little evidence of any reckoning taking place.  There is a media campaign to tell Black folks that there are large sections of America that are allies and the racial reckoning is underway.  The media propaganda is in overdrive as we approach the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.  Meanwhile, there is palpable hate in America.  Hate directed at those that are “not like me”; anyone deemed to be different.  The reality of the reckoning falls far short of propaganda campaign.

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Fact: The killer of George Floyd was convicted and is awaiting sentencing.  This fact is an anomaly in the long list of unarmed Blacks killed at the hands of police.  It’s a breath of fresh air in the midst of mostly hot air from liberal politicians and so called Black leaders from across the country. 
 
Last time I checked the use of choke holds and no knock warrants has not been addressed on the national level.  Sure, the House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act back on March 3rd but there is no support by Senate Republicans to get it passed into law.  There are bills that have languished for decades because both houses of congress could not agree on the final language.  Blacks lives do not matter in this environment.  No racial reckoning.
 
Reparations to Black Americans is being discussed in a number of cities and towns.  A few of passed various versions specific to local situations.  The  ugly truth is that no conversations of substance including national corporations and national lawmakers has taken place.  Until there is a national movement supported by American multinational corporations for reparations to descendants of slaves, there is no acknowledgement and accountability to support healing.  The fundamental stain on America cannot be washed clean without recognition of the wrong done and compensation for the stolen labor and harm inflicted.  Decisions institutionalizing slavery and apartheid in America were made, supported and implemented at the national level.  Policies and laws were national and therefore the solution must be a national one.  No racial reckoning.

Positions on race in America are hardening.  People are using other topics as a proxy for their racial hatred – denial of racial inequity in healthcare, housing, employment, and education are just a few examples.  There’s a lot of talk, quite a bit of it is ugly talk.  There is little positive change over the past year that will impact the lives of Black people.  The time for Black Americans to be satisfied with nice attitudes and smiling faces has passed.  Folks want real world change.  The propaganda campaign may have some victories but the fight will spill into the streets if laws are not passed and changes in national policies are not codified into the institutions that govern life in the United States of America.

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