Racial Injustice

It’s All Simply Idiotic

For Centuries We’ve Let It Continue

Our National security advisor, Robert O’Brian, who just happens to be a white dude has recently denied that America has a systemic racism problem running rampant across this nation’s police forces.

And that my fellow Americans, is simply put, a shit ton of bullshit.

I have one question for you Robert O’Brian.

How many black and non-white Americans have to die at the hands of this so-called non-racist police force for white America to finally admit to a mindset that’s been thriving for centuries?

Look, I know being a cop is dangerous. There are some seriously deranged people out there doing seriously nasty stuff and a lot of these brave men and women legitimately put their lives on the line each day.

But it should never, ever, be a shoot first and ask questions later.

Ever.

Okay, some of you white Americans who readily believe what O’Brian tells you, you need to listen the fuck up. If you actually believe the message our National security adviser is tossing out, then you are part of the problem.

Some of you may say this latest death of a black man at the hands of a policeman is just another isolated incident. You may say you don’t know the entire circumstances surrounding this death. Maybe the policeman was just doing his job.

Okay, here are the circumstances. If you haven’t seen the film check it out on the internet. Uninvolved bystanders at the scene filmed it as it happened.

Three white Minneapolis police officers pinned down a black brother of ours and subdued him while the fourth white officer, placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck blocking airflow until George suffocated and died.

What happened to the three holding George down? They could have stopped this from happening. Did they? No. Two continued to hold George down and one stood by and watched. For them, justice remains a pending decision.

Really? They should be charged complicit in this murder. What happened to the officer who murdered George Floyd?

He’s been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter which carries with it a half a million-dollar fine and up to twenty-five years in jail.

Which means, the dude could get out when he’s sixty-nine years old.

If he lives that long in jail or even goes to jail.

That about sum it up for you white America?

As a white American male, I’m ashamed at the reprehensible and quite deliberate actions of this white policeman.

Another example of what’s been allowed to happen in America for centuries.

Yes I’m living in this country and yes I’m white, so you might be thinking I have no place or right to make these comments. I get it.

But history is anecdotally peppered with instances of white-skinned people enslaving our black brothers and sisters and forcing them to work in the fields or face daily whippings or hangings.

And I don’t give a shit if somebody sits there and tries to placate me or diffuse this message by telling me that was then, this is now. Trying to get me to believe I can’t be held responsible for the actions of my ancestors.

It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t hide the truth. My ancestors, my white ancestors played a part in those atrocities and many others.

Even now, I think of how this land was taken from our Native American brothers and sisters. The stories of how these glorious nations of people were rounded up by white people and forced to live out their days on reservations make me tremble in rage.

And what about how white railroad moguls abused hundreds of thousands of Asians to build their precious railroads so they could get rich on the backs of a race of people who were considered expendable?

What about our supposed president, our Liar-In-Chief, who kicked off his campaign trying to convince white America that Mexicans are nothing but rapists and drug runners?

My blood’s boiling this morning. I’m sickened to the point of vomiting.

For centuries millions of white Americans in this country have turned their backs on our brothers and sisters of color. For years many have extolled their white privilege at the expense of any race which didn’t have the same color of skin.

We’ve done this. White America has turtled up and allowed this to happen. Although millions of white Americans have chosen to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Americans irrespective of their skin color, just as many have treated those with different color skins with complete disregard for their basic civil rights.

And even now many sit back and say there’s no problem, there’s never been a problem.

Wake the fuck up people! There’s a problem and it’s existed for centuries!

This is bullshit white America. Stop turning your backs on our own American brothers and sisters. Stop paying little attention to the deaths of people whose skin happens to be a different color. These are Americans just like you and me who are suffering these atrocities at the hands of a certain subset of the police force over and over and over.

Stop looking the other way at the litany of wrongful incarcerations and beatings and killings our brothers and sisters have endured. Quit ignoring the facts when you read or hear about the constant fear and anxiety most black people suffer at the hands of a white cop and a simple traffic stop.

These are our fellow Americans dammit! They’ve just as much right to live out their lives in peace as anybody on this fucking planet.

Say something, white America! Demand justice! Do something to bring about a fucking change for God’s sake! It’s up to all of us whatever the fucking color of our skin is to take a side for racial equity and fairness. No longer can we or should we close our eyes to this systemic atrocity happening each day in our police forces and on the streets of our cities.

If we don’t actively take part in changing how non-white people are being treated each day, then we just need to stop bitching and truly understand what causes the riots to happen when they do.

Frustration and rage against social and racial injustice can stay beneath the surface only so long dear friends before it must and will come spewing out.

If we don’t care about being a Human loving other Humans regardless of the color of one’s skin, then I’d suggest we just shut the fuck up while those being oppressed in this country choose to take a stand.

This has gone on far too long.

I for one refuse to remain silent and let this happen.

I am white and right now, I am ashamed.

Paul Barnett