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….