Let’s Level the Playing Field

My friends are burning up Facebook with their posts about social justice and equality. Here’s another that needs sharing widely. Thank you, B.E. Shaw Sr. for this powerful statement. At the end, I’ve added some books he recommends that will help us understand the Black experience.

We (Caucasian and African Americans) need each race working in tandem to finally put an end to systemic racism…

Truth be told, Virginia, and all my Caucasian sisters and brothers on social media, We can’t do this without you… If you go back to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad as it pertains to the horrific plight of the Black race … we’ve had (and needed) many white soldiers that stood by our side…

Unfortunately, in 21st Century Trump-America, we need your support and allegiance more than ever before…

I mean really, aren’t y’all tired of seeing black men, women, and children being utterly disrespected, humiliated, scoffed and laughed at? And not just by myriad white folks, but other races as well.

Lastly, every since my ancestors were kidnapped, forced into centuries of chattel slavery, mass incarceration after emancipation, all Black folks have attempted to do is just “get in where we fit in,” to occupy, and share a level playing field.

I’ve always wondered (even as a precocious child), “is that too much to ask?”

Harriet Tubman statue in Women’s Rights Museum

B.E. also gave some book recommendations.

Two great reads for my Caucasoid brothers and sisters: (1) Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin, and (2) White Privilege … The late J. H. Griffin was Caucasian and so is Robin D… both books are powerful tools to give White America a glimpse of what it’s like to be African American in a land where we have been perpetually hated solely because of our dark skin.

 Black Like Me White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism White Privilege

“We must be willing to consider that unless we have devoted intentional and ongoing study, our opinions are necessarily uninformed, even ignorant. How can I say that if you are white, your opinions on racism are most likely ignorant, when I don’t even know you? I can say so because nothing in mainstream US culture gives us the information we need to have the nuanced understanding of arguably the most complex and enduring social dynamic of the last several hundred years.”

Excerpt from the book “White Fragility” written by a Caucasian American female.

Let’s Work Together

Three days ago, a friend wrote this. Thank you, Kathy M. for your insight.

Thought for the day

We know what happened in 2016 about interference in our elections. We know that it was stated during a Congressional hearing that it’s still happening. Now add to that, that words that are easily fact-checked about a civil war or unrest.

I have watched several channels reporting the protests, and the violence, property damage, and looting. Listening to the Mayor in St. Paul state of those arrested there were several with out of state license plates, some with no plates inciting the local citizens. Cars loaded with weapons and rocks were apprehended. Who drives around with rocks to throw and assault weapons if they were peacefully protesting?

All morning when I heard about this I was furious! Furious that for 3 years our Government has glorified White Supremacy; KKK hoods have come out into the public again, racial tensions and lawlessness have been normalized, and the Police were encouraged at the Bully Pulpit about not needing to be careful with those they arrested. Again easily fact-checked, just look for his speech about putting their hands on top of a suspect’s head when putting them in the car.

Internet Meme – Artist Unknown “We must dismantle white supremacy”

We’re in a global health crisis. Now a justice one. I blame the President and all those that glorify White Supremacy. I blame those in my new Southern Community that told me I had nothing to worry about because I’m white. That was after remarking on young men riding around in a pickup holding a Confederate flag out the window.

I am furious that we still have 5 months before the election, and that civil unrest that was taunted is happening, and nothing positive will occur, more words, and speeches are written, but not sincere, that’s it. I wish I could vote now, today, and let the healing truly begin, and justice finally prevail for everyone!

Time to make hate laws a crime that’s actually punishable. Time to lock bad cops up, and not just let them move to another precinct! Time to put teeth back into our laws. The only way kids and adults behave is if they know there are consequences, real ones that teach right from wrong. It’s time for the news to have to report the truth, and not glorify those whose whole shows are about hate and division.

Ok, that’s what’s on my mind. Wishing for a calmer night for those communities in turmoil, and wishing you all a good day. As they taught me in the Peace Corps…..we have more similarities than differences, so let’s work together!