Recently, America has witnessed acts of violence from people and law enforcement that’s tearing this country apart; from the killing of Mike Brown a year ago to the standoff at Dallas Police Headquarters, to the abuse of children at a McKinney pool, to the abuse, arrest, and death of multiple people getting arrested during a “routine” traffic stop. I’ve wondered, “What are people’s motivation? Is it hatred? Fear? Ignorance? The power to exercise their insecurities? A combination of them all?” It seems like a complex problem.
Well if it’s such a complex situation, why are we succumbing to a simple solution: race relations… I love how in the last year we are placing this conversation in the race box, and nothing else; we’re not talking about privilege, or economics, or power…. Just race. Really? JUST Race? I argue that race is only the manifestation of a deeper issue; it’s the fruit we see, not the root we need to dig up. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, illuminated, and corrected by ALL parties affected; the oppressed, but most importantly the oppressor, in order for real change in America to happen.
Lets get one thing straight before we proceed: I am not saying that race doesn’t play a role. It’s OBVIOUS blacks are the beneficiaries of violence and oppression from perceived powers at be. I’m saying our assessments and solutions have been too narrow in scope. Now back to the post….
My heart is saddened that people are thinking myopically… We’re easy to slap the race card on everything so we perpetuate our cycle of trivializing how blacks are felt in this country and how whites (or non-blacks) can “ignore” the problem and continue to complain how the blacks crying and complaining is affecting productivity or the “American Way”. The influx of immigrants who can’t empathize the Black American struggle easily side against blacks or become apathetic; they weren’t subject to the slavery and dismantling of their culture for the “American Good”, and sacrificing any policies or opportunities to start from square one in “The American Dream”.
Well I’m sick of it…. There’s a reason why black people feel hopeless, and it’s not just because they are lazy; I, as a “successful” black man, have a double conscious; one to strive for the best, while the other to strive for the betterment of my people. I am not ONLY screaming for equal rights and opportunities because my demographic is the most vilified, least to tolerate, yet most replicated and admired from afar; that’s too small. I’m urging ALL people to understand they have a responsibility tomake our society better; and everyone needs to check their position, make corrections, and move accordingly.
We are smart enough to solve the real problem: Addressing our iniquities of the past (yes, I mean slavery, misogyny, etc.) to make America better. It won’t be an easy road, but we are made to withstand it. So before we judge or ignore, let’s try to solve the problem for all to excel.
Mr. Matt Houston 