How Far Have We Come In Race Relations Since King
Half a century after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. one tenth of all Black Americans believe all of the civil rights icon’s goals have been met. This according to a poll compiled by Associated Press NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. King’s contribution to society is so well thought of a national holiday is held in his honor. Streets, schools and institutions are named after him. One might think much progress has occurred and life is idyllic and prosperous for people of color. In truth economic opportunities have increased in many ways, from housing to health. However, many African Americans are not feeling there has been progress in race relations. Police relations are another area where there isn’t a lot of positive evidence that life is better in America.
In fact three-quarters of African Americans believe there has been very little progress in race relations with their fellow Americans. Still chilly is the relationship with police. That is disturbing and disheartening. Offices were built to create fairness and a sense of justice for all people of color. However, over the years many of those offices and laws created to protect and run interference for people trying to achieve the American Dream have been struck down or ignored. The era of Trump has many people thinking the current situation could get worse because of his negative views toward people of color. He not only believes people of color are less than him, he acts on it as national policy. He has encouraged law enforcement to use brutal tactics in arresting people and calls polite treatment of people different than him a form of “political correctness.” The feeling now is that poor treatment is getting worse not better.
Inequality is not just a disrespectful traffic stop. It also includes housing, jobs, and educational opportunities. The feeling doesn’t seem to go away. Even voting now is stressful and is no longer the simple process of giving your preference to a candidate or idea. Despite some institutional changes, 34 percent of polled African Americans say life has gotten better for them, while 29 percent say there have been some small changes for the better. This feeling is different with the rest of America. More than half of White Americans believe there has been major progress. On paper that is true. Despite the rosy picture, only one-fourth believe that progress includes good treatment from police. We don’t want to gloss over this figure as just being different because it says a full quarter of all other people of different races believe police treat African Americans well.
The poll goes on and on, showing wide disparity in beliefs involving race and the negative treatment some police impose on African Americans. At the time of King’s death 50 years ago, there were signs of naked racism and overt violence. One could be grateful those examples of raw hatred are less common, but it’s clear there is much to do. Society can lament the death of a beloved hero of human dignity or pick up the torch of freedom and keep their eyes on the prize.
Shooting Deaths On Easter Another Sign Of Too Many Guns
There is never a good time for family violence to turn into a murder scene, but the Easter shooting at 56th Street North reminds us that there are too many guns on the streets and in homes. This isn’t an argument against protecting your home or against the rights of hunters. But for guns which are pulled out and used in heated emotional moments, the question remains on just who should be able to own a gun. Impossible to say at this point what happened Sunday night, but one thing is certain; it is a tragic situation that requires community involvement. Gun safety doesn’t mean just teaching the working parts of a gun but safe handling of the weapon. It’s also a good idea to determine if the gun owner should even possess a lethal weapon.
For today, we offer our condolences for the senseless loss of life. Again.
Atlanta Classroom Uses Black Mask To Make Point On Racism
There was outrage after news and a video came out showing students wearing black masks to make a point on racism and as part of their curriculum during Black History Month. Parents and the community members were extremely upset.
Students at Kindezi Old Fourth Ward were instructed to wear the masks as they read, “We Wear the Mask” a poem by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The video showing the reciting of the poem was viewed over 830,000 in just 18 hours after it was first posted.
The Dunbar poem was a reflection of his view of what it was like to be Black in that period of America. Dunbar was famous for this part in the Harlem Renaissance.
Odd as it may seem that even in places like Atlanta, Georgia, there are pockets of ignorance where something so obviously wrong can still find its way into the classroom. The school has apologized and is taking corrective steps to see that it doesn’t ever happen again.
Cosby Trial In The ‘Me Too’ Times
Can Bill Cosby receive a fair trial with the backdrop of the “Me Too” environment where powerful men have lost their seat of power or celebrity because of past sexual misconduct? Or can his attorneys find ways to use those forces for his benefit? No one know at this point.
Cosby trials have been largely tales of consensual unions or simply he-said she-said statements on what supposedly happened. Are men in the eyes of some jurors being unfairly maligned by public scrutiny on the issue? To be sure the news of powerful men abusing their position is still in the minds of possible jurors. What way that information is used is bound to be used to someone’s benefit.
This trial has the added stories of five other women who say Cosby assaulted them which has been recently allowed by the judge. The last trial ended in a mistrial after 52 hours of deliberation.
