Tag: systemic racism

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Whitey in the Woodpile

America on Shaky Ground, Part 3

Do you really think the likes of Carol Swain, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas and Ben Carson achieved success by crawling around under someone’s bootheel?  Of course not, they believed in their own ability to succeed, worked hard and took advantage of all that America has to offer.  As Dr. Swain eloquently explained “I was born into a world where systemic racism was real—no-fooling, outright-bigotry, back-of-the-bus real. But here’s what you need to know: Yes, that racism shaped the black experience—but even then, it did not define it. Change was in the air. Call it systemic reform.”  

The systemic reform Dr. Swain referenced has transformed our country.  While there is more work to do, a person of any color can succeed in America.  Our collective American message should be one of possibilities, hope, hard work, personal responsibility, and perseverance.  We should encourage all citizens to learn from the past and shoot for the stars.  Sadly the opposite is happening. We are bombarded with negativity and defeatist messaging that black folks are victims to white oppressors.  Some would have us believe that America is drowning in racism and white supremacy.  As one BLM leader said regarding US systems of law: “when we talk about institutional and systemic racism, I can’t think of an example of a system that is clean.”  Welcome to the race chapter of the victim/oppressor club where black outcomes are stymied by whitey in the woodpile.  

Will stoking animosity between racial groups result in the advancement of our nation?  Highly unlikely.  Has any group of any size achieved success when the team members are infighting rather than focused on the goal?  A group with a common focus that knows what’s working, what isn’t working, creates reality based plans, learns from mistakes, avoids problems and works in concert has a chance of winning.  A group divided by hate sinks to mediocrity or collapses entirely.  We see this concept played out in our families, sports teams, small business, large corporations and countries.  Since this is a fundamental fact of human interaction, why has a narrative been deployed that pits citizens against each other rather than a message of unity that uplifts us all?  

It is extremely disorienting to watch black people who have achieved the pinnacles of success tell their black brethren that their success is hampered by white people.  Where is Captain Obvious when you need him?   There are many reasons individuals and groups achieve different outcomes not the least of which is the individual’s attitude and work ethic.  However, these peddlers of victim ideology offer only one excuse for poor outcomes – systemic racism.  

Anyone who listens to the local news knows that there are serious problems that plague poor minority neighborhoods that are unrelated to racism.  These communities suffer from lousy government schools, the disintegration of the family, a culture of government dependence, drugs, out of control gangs and black on black violence to name a few.  Instead of honest conversations regarding the economics of poverty and comprehensive multipronged strategies, we see black youths loot and burn their own communities, often destroying minority owned businesses.  Then BLM tells us “looting is reparations”.  Translation – violence that destroys other people’s lives is okay because whitey is in the woodpile.  

The actual occupants of the woodpile are race hustlers and others who seek to benefit from the extreme division caused by corrosive victim/oppressor ideology.  These evil people are sacrificing our black youth for their own gain.  It is beyond sad that many have placed themselves in victim status in search of a handy oppressor to blame for their personal outcomes.  Victimhood is at best a recipe for mediocrity and will likely result in worse outcomes for struggling black folks.  How can this be good?  

Even though we still feel the shock waves from slavery and the unbridled racism that followed, it is my fervent belief that the vast majority of Americans are not racist.  Please consider how these folks will react as the nationwide hunt for whitey in the woodpile intensifies and white people are tried and convicted for the actions of their ancestors.  It is very bad business to fight racism with racism unless division is the actual goal.  There is a better way.  

We will delve into the subject of race in greater detail in future articles but for now our goal is to list destabilizing factors impacting America.  Without question, the racial segregation of Americans via victim/oppressor ideology puts us on dangerously shaky ground.  

Shaky Ground Summary

As a reminder we will only examine what is happening and leave why unasked for now.  Below is a summary of destabilizing factors addressed in this and previous articles in the America on Shaky Ground series.  

  • Part 1 – Division and distrust caused by the prohibition of gathering.
  • Part 2 – Division and distrust caused by categorizing women and men into victims and oppressors.  
  • Part 3 – Division and distrust caused by racial segregation via victim/oppressor ideology.

Notes

  • Dividing our nation along racial lines is so incredibly destructive that it behooves all Americans to study this issue in depth rather than react emotionally to three word slogans.  Empirical evidence and historical context are essential to evaluating the current narrative accurately.  A great start is the “Black Wisdom Matters” series of videos curated by Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams and other very smart people.  Here is part 1 of 7.  
  • “Discrimination and Disparities” is an excellent book by Thomas Sowell that offers an in depth examination of disparate outcomes among groups and forms of discrimination.  This is critical information for assessing the current conversations on “equity”.  “Black Rednecks and White Liberals” is a collection of thought provoking essays that provide necessary historical facts missing from critical race theory based narratives.  
  • The Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization is more than it appears and research into BLM and the founders is wise.  This video by Ami Horowitz is worth your time.  
  • This Forbes article provides a quick summary of the history of slavery. Note to all our poorly educated students, America did not invent slavery.

Pearls of Wisdom from Thomas Sowell

Below are two Thomas Sowell quotes which elaborate on the concepts discussed above:  

“While the lessons of history can be valuable, the twisting of history and the mining of the past for grievances can tear a society apart. Past grievances, real or imaginary, are equally irremediable in the present, for nothing that is done among living contemporaries can change in the slightest the sins and the sufferings of generations who took those sins and sufferings to the grave with them in centuries past. Galling as it may be to be helpless to redress the crying injustices of the past, symbolic expiation in the present can only create new injustices among the living and new problems for the future, when newborn babies enter the world with pre-packaged grievances against other babies born the same day. Both have their futures jeopardized, not only by their internal strife but also by the increased vulnerability of a disunited society to external dangers from other nations and from international terrorist networks.”  Black Rednecks & White Liberals.

“Whatever chances such people have of acquiring the missing ingredients for their own advancement are reduced to the extent that their problems are misdiagnosed as the sins of other people rather than things that they themselves lack—even if they lack those things for reasons beyond their control. Often the things they lack can be acquired sooner and more extensively than they can either reform other people or get the society as a whole to provide for them through a redistribution of existing wealth what they are capable of producing for themselves through an upgrading of their own productivity. Moreover, rising productivity adds to the net wealth of the society and the world, which is more likely to gain the respect of others, as well as self-respect, than are reiterated pleas or demands for a share of what others have created.”  Black Rednecks & White Liberals.    

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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….