Month: July 2020

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Is BLM the Answer to Racial Injustice?

Sue Seboda, July 23, 2020

The above words represent the ideal upon which this country was founded.  Will the BLM organization support our centuries long effort to make these words a reality?  It is unlikely.  This opinion is based on the notable discrepancies between BLM’s stated goals and the actual results of their actions.  For example, while decrying racism BLM antiwhite rhetoric embodies the very essence of racism.  We learn from BLM that only white folks are capable of racism. Think this statement through please. Equally divisive is the belief that all whites are racists whether they know it or not. Is the reality that some people of every color are racist and many are not?

Another BLM mandate that has the opposite result of the stated intention is the desire to defund the police.  BLM wants to “take funds away from systems that don’t work and provide money to systems that do work”.  According to BLM, the systems that don’t work are the police and criminal justice system and the ones that do are community based programs.  What are the actual consequences as acolytes and colormongers respond to the clarion call to defund or otherwise hamstring police? More black people are dying.  When confronted with this reality, how does BLM respond. They don’t, instead cops and those who support them are being discriminated against in incidents all over the country.  BLM acolytes, are you OK with that?  

What about funding community programs?  Isn’t that an admirable goal?  Yes, however a casual examination of history reveals that money alone is ineffective if all factors contributing to the failures in these communities remain unaddressed.  Police brutality and systemic racism are not the only impediments to advancement in poor black communities.  Are they even the primary influences at this point in history?  I don’t know but am 100% certain others of equal importance exist.  Ignoring these factors will ensure continued suffering in these communities regardless of how much money is spent on community programs.  

The hypocrisy does not stop there.  A colormonger on the city council in Seattle actually suggested that only white cops be fired as Seattle moves forward to defund the police.  Black people risked their lives to fight for civil rights.  Colormongers believe it is OK to disregard the Civil Rights Act of 1964?   BLM acolytes are demanding more “black only spaces” in colleges.  While not a new trend, neo-segregation in our colleges is a disturbingly divisive one.  I would love to ask Rosa Parks how she feels about this.  BLM and any good human is against cruelty to black people yet the BLM riots resulted in tremendous cruelty when businesses and lives were destroyed in black communities.  And what about the murders that occurred during the riots? The cruelty continues with the rampant cancel culture. People’s lives are callously destroyed if anyone of any color challenges the BLM narrative.  BLM, acolytes and colormongers are in a frenzied race to label historical figures, living people, statues, phrases, etc. racist.  In this absurd contest, even phrases as innocuous as  “low hanging fruit” are deemed racist. Does this make sense to you?

BLM says they oppose state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism.  The result of their actions has been an increase in racism, death, violence, segregation, identity politics, victimhood and cruelty.  Any red flags popping up yet?  Are they ultimately helping black people, hurting them or using them?  Are they encouraging self-reliance or only anger, division and chaos?  A truism comes to mind: “Where there is confusion, there is opportunity”.  

What opportunity might the BLM organization be after?  The BLM website clearly indicates that they are a political organization dedicated to driving acolytes and colormongers to vote in the 2020 presidential election and we all know political operatives love chaos and a good crisis to advance their positions.  What is their platform?  While defunding the police is a primary mandate, they have other goals worth understanding.  A few have been listed in the details section below. I agree with some, a couple require more explanation and I strongly disagree with others, one of which is the desire to “disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure”.  Many folks of great intellect believe the disruption of the nuclear family in poor black communities is directly linked to difficulties inherent in these communities.  BLM wants to disrupt the family further?  Why?  

Before plastering one’s yard with BLM signs, it might be a good idea to determine BLM’s actual ideology.  Acolytes, have you done the research?  If not, please note that two of the co-founders make no secret of the fact that they are Marxists.  Some may think this is a “right wing talking point”.  Watch the video to disabuse yourself of that notion.  Patrisse Cullor said during an interview, “We do actually have an ideological frame.  Myself and Alicia are trained organizers.  We are trained Marxists.  We are super versed in ideological theories.” Inquiring minds want to know, where were you trained, who trained you and who paid for it?  If you don’t want to wait for a future article on this subject, I would recommend research into which regimes they support.  Are you OK marching alongside and donating your hard-earned money to Marxists?  Is it possible that BLM is using your compassion as a hook to advance their Marxist agenda?

If the BLM induced cancel culture did not viciously discourage discourse at every opportunity, this movement would be an excellent opportunity to move the cause forward.  But alas, comprehensive dialogue is necessary for actual progress and this is no longer allowed on the national stage, only insipid pandering.  I believe it is our duty as individuals to attempt to understand the suffering of fellow humans. The old adage “before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes” is relevant.  It is difficult for any modern day American, black, white or magenta, to truly grasp the betrayal of being sold into slavery by your own countrymen or the horror of being born and living in slavery.  After US slavery was abolished, figurative slavery continued in the form of Jim Crow laws, segregation, redlining and other policies borne of an ugly racism.  Approximate 20% of black folks are currently enslaved by poverty, violence and a culture of dependence.  While racism has diminished significantly over the last 50 years, it has been a long hard road and it is still alive and well in some quarters.  Good humans reject racism in any form, uplift fellow humans with compassion and understanding and always offer a hand to those who start short of the starting line.  It is always the right thing to do.  If indeed BLM’s goals include uplifting anyone but themselves, we do agree on this point.  

DETAILS

  • For additional perspective please watch the Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams series Black Wisdom Matters. Here is part 1.
  • BLM supporters tend to defend antiwhite sentiment which sadly promotes racism. An example is the recent firing of Nick Cannon. https://www.abccolumbia.com/2020/07/15/founder-of-blm-sc-defends-controversial-comments-made-by-nick-cannon/
  • BLM supporters attempt to suppress support of police offeres with mob actions. This article outlines a very sad example of this behavior.  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8517633/Daughter-Texas-cop-shot-dead-ambush-deletes-tribute-hero-bluelivesmatter-feud.html?fbclid=IwAR2uEiLona5ZU8hNzSB9eXDcyh2ZK8kRGPvySJ66ukAbE5X6E5VLPiXd6wQ
  • https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/american-colleges-segregated-housing-graduation-ceremonies/
  • Thanks to Anna for her help editing and supplying the wonderful phrase that reminds us of the “importance of lending a helping hand to anyone starting short of the start line”.
  • Please note that the BLM website has changed significantly in the last few weeks.  Originally “Defund the Police” had a very high profile on the site, now it is soft pedaled.  Below is a sampling of BLM goals as indicated on the website as of July 23,2020:
    • We are unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives Matter, we need not qualify our position. To love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a prerequisite for wanting the same for others.  
    • We are guided by the fact that all Black lives matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status, or location.
    • We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead.
    • We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.
    • We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered. We make our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work. 
    • We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.
    • We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking
    • We cultivate an intergenerational and communal network free from ageism. We believe that all people, regardless of age, show up with the capacity to lead and learn.
    • We need to see what you see. Black Lives Matter is a central target of disinformation and you are a key line of defense. Report suspicious sites, stories, ads, social accounts, and posts about BLM.

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I am Magenta

By Sue Seboda, July 10, 2020

“I respect your opinion, but really not interested in having an older White woman teach me about racism.”  Whoaaaa.  Moi?  Older?  One thing us “older” folks know is that everything is bullshit before the but.  We also have perspective gained from years of personal experience and observation.  Is that no longer relevant to BLM acolytes?  Isn’t that age discrimination?  

White?  It’s questionable what color I am.  Generally I am a bit tan with brown spots and other times my face is decidedly red almost purple.  Am I dappled?  Red? Purple?  How about magenta?  YES.  I am Magenta.  In the future, I will check “other” for race and fill in “Magenta” when asked.  But the more interesting facet of her color labeling is the message that my thoughts and questions are invalid because of my skin color.  Isn’t it ironic that someone who is fighting against racism would judge someone strictly on the color of their skin?  Isn’t that the very definition of racism?  Of course she had no idea I am Magenta.    

Teach?  I asked this presumably young person a number of questions after she posted an overly simplistic video describing systemic racism and the oppression of Black folks.  The goal was debate.  With debate, the opportunity exists for both parties to learn, a win/win.  As demonstrated in this attempt at an old White lady verbal smack down, debate is no longer desirable for many.  Blind obedience is now the “in” thing.  And if someone dares step out of line via a probing question, the new rules require insulting them into submission.  Never been good at blind obedience and I am downright horrible at cowering.  This incident and others propelled me to the key board. 

Let’s start with my own perspective.  My first experience with blatant racism occurred when I was 14 in 1972, soon after starting a catholic high school located in a multiracial city.  The majority of students were White but the student body included a notable number of other colors due to its location.  My mother dropped me off at a friend’s house and her head promptly exploded when she realized my friend was Black.  I was appalled that she was appalled.  The colors of people in our group were not a factor in our friendships.  Every color person who attended this school was privileged to do so (other than run ins with the prejudices of some of the nuns, racial and otherwise.)  We received a rigorous, quality education that paved the way for the future.  

I shared a bus stop with kids from a nearby public school comprised of predominantly Black kids from a lower socioeconomic neighborhood with a less than demanding education.  I still remember with striking clarity the first time I saw girls literally rolling on the ground in a knockdown, drag out fist fight.  I was punched a couple times by black boys.  I ran after them to punch back but sadly Magenta girls can’t run (that’s not systemic racism against Magenta people, it’s just true).  The contrast between my classmates and the kids at the bus stop coupled with my mother’s reaction taught me important lessons at a young age.  Skin color is not a predictor of character or friendship, social circumstances and upbringing can have a huge impact on behavior and opportunity and racism in both directions was alive and well.  

This country has come a long way regarding racial bias since 1972.  Are we there yet?  For some, apparently not.  There are disparities between ethnic groups that deserve our national attention.   I suggest turning off the relentless talking heads and review the raw data.  Here are a few statistics.  

  • When reviewing population breakdowns keep in mind that the concept of race is separate from the concept of Hispanic origin.  2019 census estimates of racial breakdown of population is 76.3% White, 13.4% black, 5.9% Asian, 4.4% other.  White non Hispanic is 60.1% and Hispanic is 18.5%.  This data is based on self identification.
  • In 2018, the US poverty rate was 11.8%.  This rate has been fairly static over the past 30 years with an average of 13.4%.  The poverty rate for non Hispanic Whites was 8.1%, Asians 10.1%, Hispanics of any race 17.6% and Blacks 20.8%. 
  • Overall 9.0% of American families are in poverty.  Families headed by a single mother have a whopping poverty rate of 24.9% compared to 4.7% for families headed by a married couple.  
  • 66% of Black families are headed by single parents followed by 41% Hispanic, 33% White and 20% Asian.  
  • Median income in 2016 according to Pew, was highest among Asians, followed by Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.  
  • Home ownership rates by race is highest among non Hispanic Whites followed by other non Hispanics races, Hispanics and Blacks.  For all groups home ownership declined in 2007 and began climbing again in 2016. Rate of growth since 2016 has been lowest for Blacks.  No group has achieved pre 2007 levels.  
  • Black and Hispanic males are the only race or ethnic group that include homicide as one of the top ten leading causes of death, 2017 CDC.
  • In 2019 370 White, 235 Black, 158 Hispanics, 39 other races and 202 people of unidentified race were shot to death by police. 

While it is clear Americans of any color or creed are able to succeed in America, the statistics above confirm racial inequalities still exist.  And it is not just Black folks who suffer, every color is represented in the poverty cycle.  Over the last several decades, countless billions have been spent in an attempt to level the playing field.  Innumerable public and private programs are geared to help minorities succeed. Every politician has talking points and campaign promises geared to minorities. Investment and mortgage opportunities are directly targeted to and available in many disadvantaged areas. 

Like others who base their relationships on character rather than skin color and are disgusted by the current literal and figurative violence, I have an endless list of basic questions.  With decades of committed effort to eliminate inequality, why do we still have it?  Will the bizarre hyper focus on skin color help or hurt?  Has a successful solution ever been achieved by addressing only the tiniest sliver of the problem while simultaneously declaring a blanket cause?  How much racial bias exists now compared to 1972 and where racial bias is still prevalent, what are the specific ways bias prohibits advancement?  What concrete steps, other than gratuitous violence and pandering, can citizens take to help?  Is it possible the unintended consequences of decades of bad public policy have impacted minorities negatively?  Is the opioid and drug epidemic a force of oppression and impediment to advancement? What impact does the drug culture have on Black folks killing each other?  Is the shift towards a victim mentality helpful to anyone of any color?  Is the Black community getting used and abused once again to advance someone else’s political agenda?  Is it possible to achieve actual progress when the difficult but necessary introspection is forbidden?  If no, then why is the cancel culture rampant? What damage does that do to our multicolor nation?  Hmmm….

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Independence Day Reflections

What to the American citizen is your 4th of July?  I answer: a day above all others that honors a nation founded on the principle “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” A nation of opportunity where an individual of any creed or color can succeed with dedication, hard work and self-reliance, where free speech is guaranteed and excellence is encouraged.  A nation that is capable of reflection and strives to improve upon its flaws.  A nation that is stronger than the ever present forces that wish to divide and conquer.  A nation of beautiful humans with diverse beliefs spread over an equally varied and inspiring landscape.  As we reflect on the blessings of being an American let us remember that progress is achieved when we stand united, optimistically focused on a better future. 

The above is loosely follows Frederick Douglass’s excellent July 4 speech.