Breonna Taylor | White Privilege

Breonna Taylor | White Privilege

I’m tired. Truly. I’m tired.

How do I explain the death of George Floyd to my kids? How do I explain the death of Breonna Taylor to my kids, my daughter in particular? How do I explain to them that the Civil Authorities have determined that the people who put bullets in her while sleeping in her bed are not responsible for her death? How is this different from the lynching debacle of Emmett Till? Has law enforcement and the judiciary now become the lynching mob...the KKK...who answers to no one?

I’m tired. Truly. I’m tired.

Just because I’m allowed to use the same public parks, same public facilities, same public transportation, same public spaces, etc; it doesn’t mean that I’m not treated differently when I enter those public spaces. It’s hurtful when a white woman flinches when you walk past her at the park. It’s hurtful when a police officer stops and looks at you when you’re jogging because you’re black. But when a white person is jogging, they drive by and go on their business. It’s hurtful when a police officer follows you in a car just because you’re driving a car that doesn’t look beat up. It’s hurtful when the custodian at the grocery store checks your receipt because you’re black, but doesn’t check the white person before you or after you. It’s hurtful when you’re turned down for a job or a role for no other obvious or tangible or scientific reason [that relates to qualification or competence] than because you’re black. It’s hurtful when you feel like you cannot speak up when a law enforcement or judicial officer is tramping on your rights for fear that they’ll use the opportunity to riddle bullets in your body.

I’m tired. Truly. I’m tired.

What is white privilege? What is legacy racism? What is institutional racism? In short, it is that as a white person, you do not have to deal with any of the above. Not only that, the system or institutions are designed and skewed to pander you, to maintain and sustain your comfort in the face of the oppression vividly described above. Where there’s oppression, there’s an oppressor, and the oppressed. That in a nutshell is white privilege, legacy racism, and institutional racism.

No, liking or listening to Snoop Dogg does not make you not a racist. No, having black friends does not make you not a racist. Liking Michael Jordan or Will Smith does not make you not a racist. Not having problems with black people does not make you not a racist. Sitting idly, nonchalant, and unaffected, even indifferent about the brutal and chilling murder of a George Floyd or a Breonna Taylor makes you a racist. What if either were your son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother, uncle or aunt, nephew or niece, or cousin? Would you demand justice? Would you demand accountability?

You don’t think you’re racist because you don’t live in the Jim Crow era? or the Slavery era? Think again! How many decades ago did Hank Aaron break the Baseball Home Run record, yet TODAY Babe Ruth is still referenced and revered as the king of Home Runs? We won’t even get into Barry Bonds. How many times has the industry rules like Sports - NFL, NBA, Golf, Tennis, etc - been changed so as to make it more difficult for [black] people who excel in these industries? Remember ‘Tiger-proofing’ at Augusta National? etc.

I read in the news today of a high ranking law enforcement officer in Louisville, KY who in encouraging [her] force referred to the people out protesting as those ‘who bag their groceries at the store.’ These are the people in charge of our law enforcement agencies. These are the people who are prosecutors. These are the people who sit as Judges in our Courthouses. What chance do we [blacks] have? All these, while you [whites] sit silent and watch. Still think you’re not racist? Still think you’re not in the Jim Crow era? Still think you’re not in the Slavery era? Think again.

[Let's not even get started on] Wall Street. I read in the news a few days ago what the CEO of Wells Fargo said ‘that there was not a big pool of black talent from which to hire.’ Seriously? Seriously? Don't make me call you stupid because I will. To the Evangelicals who pander to political power of the day, which one are you - A Mordecai and Esther who spoke to power? A Daniel and Paul who suffered in dungeons because they stood by their integrity? A Peter who flows with the wind until it is no longer convenient? A white-washed tomb Pharisee? - you need not answer me. Answer Him in your next encounter with Him. We have not even touched the fields of Science, Technology, and Medicine where neglect of black peoples are unspeakable. Rampant neglect of medical care in the hospitals where blacks are barked instructions to take ibuprofen for all medical issues and to wait and see what happens.

I’m tired. Truly. I’m tired.

This must end! This cheating must end! This dehumanization must end! This treatment as a subhuman must end! White people and the system treats their pets better than black people. This is not okay. This must end! Do we not pay the same taxes? Do we not speak the same language? Do we not pass the same exams? Do we not graduate from the same universities? Do we not have the same degrees? Do we not pay the same mortgage or rent? Do we not pay the same car note? Do we not pay the same toll on the road? Do we not pay the same utility bills? Do we not pay the same insurance premiums? Why then are we treated differently? Why then are we dehumanized? Why then are we brutalized by law enforcement and the judiciary? Why continue to enslave us? Why continue to oppress us?

I’m tired. Truly. I’m tired.

What is equality? What is equity? How are you addressing any of the issues above as a person [black/white] and in your place of work or in your business? Address it, you must! Address it, you must! Else, the legacy being left behind for the generations after us is not a good one. Much of what we are will remain with them, that’s just the story of nature. Let’s endeavor to leave behind a good legacy.

Quote of the Week:

"Nothing you do now can change the past, but I promise you everything you do now will determine your future." - Joe Duncan

Book of the Month:

“Reading is to the mind as exercise is to the body.” - Joseph Addison

Atomic Habits, James Clear. (I told a friend, if this book does not change my life, yet again; then there’s no hope for me. He LOL. I hope this book will do for you what it did for me).

#lifestyle #habits #change