American history has been fraught with racial tension. The 21st Century is no exception.
From White Supremacists rallying and killing a person in Charlottesville, Virginia to the severe imbalance of police shootings (and killing) of People of Color, to a sitting U.S. President who blatantly used racist language and promoted racist language and actions through his social media, this century has been rife with racism. These are but a few of the reasons why we need to remember every day that Black lives still matter!
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DOES RACISM REALLY STILL EXIST?
MY EXPERIENCE LIVING IN THE SOUTH
I live in what is known as a former “Slave State.” In other words, South Carolina is not only a state that, prior to the Civil War, allowed people to enslave other people, but it was the first state to secede from the nation in order to preserve that right. Currently, on the surface it may seem like Black people and White people are living harmoniously together here in The Palmetto State. On any given evening one can see people of different races eating in restaurants and shopping at Target.
However, when we look under the surface, and perhaps more importantly when we look at the intersectionality of race and class, as well as race, class and gender, huge and detrimental disparities among the races are extraordinarily prominent. Let’s take a look at some of the research headlines:
- Study Shows Racial Disparities in Elementary School Disciplinary Actions
- State Report Highlights Racial Disparities and Flaws in SC Prison System
- Racial Disparities Revealed in Massive Traffic Stop Data Set
- The Gender and Racial Wealth Gap… Constrains the Economic Security and Mobility of Women and Their Families and Communities in South Carolina.
On a more anecdotal level I had a neighbor say things like, “you don’t want to go to the beach by the pier. That’s where all of the Black people and Mexicans go.” She did not at the time know that my husband’s and children’s last name is, “Melendez” and they are, in fact, partially Mexican. And, this is one of many such racist and thoughtless remarks I have heard since living here.
LOOKING BEYOND THE SOUTH
THE NATION AS A WHOLE
Unfortunately these statistics are not unique to South Carolina or to Southern states in general.
According to a report by the Center for Progress, we can see these disparities on a nationwide basis. People of color are more likely to have poor health, to be uninsured or under-insured, and to die of chronic illness or at birth, than non-Hispanic Whites on a nation-wide basis.
When it comes to the subject of disparities in policing practices, the Mountain West and the Pacific regions of the U.S. see more racial disparities in police brutality. Overall in the U.S., Raji Sethi, a Harvard Radcliffe Institute scholar’s research shows that, “In the country as a whole, you’re about two to three times more likely to face deadly force if you’re Black than if you are White”
MY EXPERIENCE LIVING IN CALIFORNIA
Don’t think that racism was non-existent in my former home-state of California! Yes, California is a “Blue” state in that there are more Democrats than Republicans living there. And, California does tend to be progressive. But, drawing our attention back to the police brutality study cited above, we can see that the Pacific region is not at all immune from ongoing racism.
Looking at the intersectionality of race and class is also important to understanding racism in the West (as well as in the rest of the nation). There are significant disparities between Black wages and the wages of non-Hispanic Whites. When it comes to income and wealth, African American families are about two times as likely to be earning at low income levels than high income levels. The opposite is true for White families in the state of California. (see Racial Disparities are Widespread in California, a report of the Public Policy Institute of California)
“UNDOCUMENTED” IS A RACIAL SLUR
While this is technically a blog about Black lives, I would be remiss if I left out the blatant racism that still exists in all of the border states on the basis of both real and perceived documentation of residency or citizenship. In these states, California included, supplanting a person’s race with their documentation status – e.g. “undocumented immigrants,” – has become a standard and strangely accepted practice. I will never forget when I pulled-up at a red light next to a huge SUV with the words, “keep the sweeps going!!!” written in window paint all over it’s windows.This same vehicle also sported window and bumper stickers announcing the driver’s devotion to Jesus Christ.
“The sweeps” she was referring to were the Immigration and Nationalization Service’s (INS) invasions of local low-cost healthcare clinics often frequented by people of Hispanic ethnicity in which they would detain and deport anyone who could not produce proof of their legal residency or citizenship on the spot. This practice can, and does, end-up with the deportation of legal residents as well as tear-apart families where some members are documented and others are not.
These same types of sweeps have, to my knowledge, never happened on the U.S. side of the Canadian border!
I was also struck by the irony in the juxtaposition of the woman’s race-laden, and in my opinion racist, statements written on her window and her avowed Christianity. Didn’t Jesus say that humans need to love each other? I don’t believe he would approve of the pain and suffering being bestowed on these people at the hands of the INS.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HEAL?
First and foremost we can continue to speak the truth that racism still exists in the United States. And we need to do this throughout the year, not just during Black History month.
- We need to acknowledge the racial disparities in health, healthcare, education, wages, employment practices, housing, policing, criminal sentencing and within the prison system itself.
- We need to speak up, and out against, those who deny these truths and the research that provides the evidence of these longstanding racial disparities.
- We need to practice kindness and respect for everyone and reach across societal barriers to walking peacefully through life with all races.
- And finally, we need to remember that Black Lives Still matter!
Let us know how you will help to heal the pain caused by racism in the U.S. and worldwide! We welcome your comments!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER OR DONATE TO AN ORGANIZATION HELPING TO FIGHT RACISM AND HEAL THE HURT, HERE ARE A FEW WE RECOMMEND:
The National Association for The Advancement of Colored People
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
The Southern Poverty Law Center
And, of course, the Black Lives Matter organization itself!
These are just a handful of the social justice organizations to which you can donate your time, money and support.
Let us know in the comments your favorite anti-racism organization!
JEN ROBINSON
Jen Robinson is the creative force behind the wellness brand Peaceful Living Wellness which is dedicated to providing a wide-variety of high-quality wellness information. Jen is also the creator of the Peaceful Living Wellness life coaching division, and offers workshops, individual and group coaching as well as retreats where she guides women in using Mindfulness and Mindset to build their inner strength on a foundation of inner peace. Jen also is the co-creator of the business coaching brand CEO Mindset that guides entrepreneurs in building their businesses without burning out.
The latest addition to her repertoire is that she recently signed-on as the Wellness Director for the business development company Wealthy Women Entrepreneurs . She is very excited to be leading this group of dynamic women entrepreneurs into success in their businesses and lives!
The most important part of Jen’s life are her two very active teenagers, AJ & Layna!
Jen’s Mindfulness and Mindset techniques inform her business, her parenting and her life!
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