Systemic Racism Should Be The Movement's Focus

 Along with the Covid pandemic the anti-racist movement has been at the forefront of the news cycle this summer.

It was late May when the murder of George Floyd ignited a powder keg of frustrations and was the culmination of a series of racially motivated murders and incidents that sparked what has become daily protests demanding an end to racial injustice and police brutality. The protests began in Minneapolis, the site of the George Floyd murder, but quickly spread to cities and towns all across America. Because of the protests more attention was brought to the Ahmaud Arbery murder at the hands of racist "vigilantes in Georgia, the Louisville police murder of first responder Breonna Taylor while she slept her home and an incident in Central Park featuring a white jogger, Amy Cooper, calling the police on a black bird watcher, Christian Cooper, falsely telling the police he was "threatening" her and her dog all because she was offended he politely asked her to leash her dog because the dog was scaring away the birds.

These protests brought forth a national reckoning on police brutality, police interaction and attitude toward people of color, racial injustice, racial inequality and racism as a whole. For the first time in a long time Americans were forced to look at the way poc (particularly black people) were treated in this country and acknowledge racism is a bit more prevalent than they wanna admit.

As people took their grievances and demands to the streets (the vast majority peacefully protesting) and to social media it became clear that this wasn't going away anytime soon. People were demanding change take place now. However, the direction the demand for change should go wasn't so clear.

The woke types seemed to be more focused on interpersonal racism and racist symbols. Confederate statues were being forcibly taken down. The Confederate flag became a pointed debate topic. In fact, NASCAR decided to enforce a rule that had actually been decided in 2015 banning the Confederate flag from all races. Racist stereotypes and images such as Aunt Jemima came under scrutiny eventually being removed. Several white animated voice over actors who were voicing black characters stepped down from their roles. The Dixie Chicks and Lady Antebellum changed their names to The Chicks and Lady A respectively. And, of course, there was the cringey annoying white liberal folks (especially Hollywood peeps and the brie cheese eating/Starbucks chai tea sippin types) who decided they needed to yet again reevaluate checking their privilege further bastardizing and watering down the term.

Now, there has also been the more earnest sincere anti-racist allies who feel they must work on individuals in their orbit to be more aware, self-reflective and less bigoted. People who feel ending interpersonal racism and bigotry is the key ending inequality and injustice.

While fighting interpersonal racism and holding each other accountable is something we should all definitely do it is not where our focus should be.

For us to competently fight racism we have to end systemic racism and discrimination.

The fact is we are never going to rid ourselves of the scourge that is interpersonal racism. Sadly, there will always be bigots, racists and supremacists. Human beings are what they are. Again, that doesn't mean we don't stop trying to change people because we do. Just understand if your end game is to totally eradicate people hating or judging others based upon their race or ethnicity your efforts are in vain. Besides, changing individuals doesn't solve the material problems.

Ending racial inequality and injustice has to be done at their roots, the system.

Now, many people on the right and the center and frankly, the neoliberal left of center will tell you systemic racism isn't actually a thing. All of these different groups have slightly nuanced versions of why systemic racism is not the problem. But, they share the same core reason for making these assertions, which are so obviously asinine, which is they are protecting their power.

People on the right will tell you the stroke of the pen signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 1965 Voting Rights Act (which the Supreme Court gutted in 2012) and the 1968 Fair Housing Act eradicated systemic racism. They  insist because those laws forbade anyone from discriminating against poc systemic racism was ended forever. You know, because people never break the law and there are never loopholes or entities that simply don't enforce the law. So, the system is fine and only infrequently needs a tweak or two.

Centrists and Neoliberals take a slightly different tact. They are very willing to concede there are racists and there is even some systemic racism. However, they insist the solution isn't to look at the system but to focus on the individuals within the system.

Here is where pseudo-woke culture and corporate wokism were born. Their approach is to have workshops and training that focus on telling white folks  that they are inherently racist while instructing poc to check white folks' privilege and obsess over micro-aggressions. This culture also encourages white folks to constantly reevaluate their attitudes and behavior toward poc which isn't necessarily a bad thing except that the premise is these white folks can never really achieve true wokeness. Because, if they did, these corporate trainers would see their revenue streams dry up and corporations could not constantly push the narrative of how "down" and woke they are.

Does it sound like I am being too cynical? Good! You should be too! All of this bullshit is used to distract and divert away from the fact that these companies don't pay their employees (of any color) anywhere near well enough or that poc and members of marginalized groups are sprinkled throughout management but their representation isn't usually close to adequate or the fact many of these bigger companies and corporations are purveyors of gentrification which disproportionately negatively affects poc and hiring practices are often racist and multiple studies have proven it so.

The system is the problem. I know this triggers people but some of y'all really have to stop being effin snowflakes! Generational wealth is such a major factor. Black people literally are 225 years behind.

 I bring this up because banking is another systemic issue. African-Americans with the same exact financial credentials as their white counterparts are approved for loans at substantially lower rates.

There are fewer banks located in predominantly black areas and those banks are given less capital from the federal government.

Because fewer banks are located in areas predominantly of color and it's fundamentally more difficult for poc to establish bank accounts many poc are forced to utilize payday lenders. These payday lenders are predatory and woefully under regulated.

Housing is another issue where systemic racism is prevalent. Despite the 1968 Fair Housing Act African-Americans are purchasing houses at the same rate they did in 1951! And, while the 1968 Fair Housing Act was supposed to eliminate redlining, a systematic tool used by loan and mortgage companies to deny black people bank loans and the ability to purchase homes as well as devaluing property value in predominantly neighborhoods of color, as recently as 2015 companies were cited by the federal government for using redlining and their is no indication it has stopped. In fact, the Trump Administration has eased regulations and rules designed to prevent any redlining from taking place.

Earlier I mentioned hiring practices. Numerous studies within the last couple of years have shown that employers are almost 1/3 less likely to give online job applicants with  "urban" or ethnic sounding names a first interview and applicants of color are over 1/3 less likely to receive a second interview than their white counterparts. Those same studies have shown felons of color and with "non traditional sounding names" are 2/3 less likely to receive an interview.

Systemic racism and classism exist in  education. I would argue besides the justice system there is no more explicit example of the prevalence of systemic racism than what exists in this country's educational system.

It seems with every passing day education is becoming more and more devalued in our society. Frankly, the right doesn't appear to care about education at all. And, Democrats don't care enough. Whenever it's time to slash state and federal budgets one of the first items placed on the chopping block is education spending. Everyone says education "is essential" but apparently not essential enough to fund.

These constant budget reductions affect innercity and urban areas, which are usually largely of color, the most. These school systems are already fighting from behind because of the asinine means test of how schools are funded. Funding is based upon property taxes.

Needless to say, lower income areas are going to have less tax revenue which means less money for schools. By the way rural area schools are also negatively affected by this nonsense.

Because of the shortage in funding both innercity and rural schools don't have enough books for classes. It causes a shortage in teachers which subsequently leads to larger classrooms. Of course, the more students per class means less time teachers have to give students individually. The resources schools have not only for teachers but "extracurricular activities" that have proven to be instrumental in children's development are scarce and in some cases nonexistent. The school buildings and the equipment inside is usually out of date or inferior which, of course, becomes a hindrance in providing a quality education and positive environment.

As I stated this affects rural schools but often has a devastating affect on many students of color. Receiving a basic education preparing one for college or vocational school or going straight into the workplace is right along with housing, food and medical care as things that are not only rights but inarguably vital to one's survival.

Finally, there is the justice system. Look, I have really tired of arguing with disingenuous rightwingers who pretend there is no bias in the judicial system. Their arguments are frankly stupid and wrong and they know it. They simply don't want to admit it.

I could sit here listing numerous...copious examples of racial bias within the judicial system. But, like I said I have no more space for bullshit.

The fact is despite the tropes and not so thinly veiled racist narratives some love to spin the majority of black people aren't committing crimes nor are the majority of crimes committed by black people. For example,black and white people use/sell drugs at the same rate. However, black people (especially black men) are arrested and convicted more than their white counterparts. In addition with the same parameters being involved black people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses are routinely given harsher sentences than their white counterparts.

These sentence patterns exist for other crimes as well. The darker the skin the harsher the sentence is likely to be. This is partially why mass incarceration is such an issue.
Now, the right will have you believe this is all the fault of Joe Biden and the Clintons. Without question Biden wrote the crime bill; Hillary Clinton provided massive input and Bill Clinton, as president, signed the 1994 crime bill. What rightwingers fail to mention is they, too, supported the bill and in fact, didn't think it went far enough. They along with corporatist Democrats have continuously propped up the private prison industry which of course targets poc.

Oh, and lest I mention explicitly the  "War on Drugs" that has specifically targeted poc and the poor. The war on drugs has been a bi-partisan effort. Do not allow anyone to tell you differently.

So, there is a laundry list of examples highlighting systemic racism in this country. For us to see true material equality come to poc the system must be held to account and restructured.

Tweaking and reforming aren't enough. The people in power want us to believe it is and they're the ones to do it. No! Because, they will do what they have always done and simply make aesthetic changes with a few (very few) substantive changes. Changes you can be assured will not in any meaningful way affect their power and status and most certainly will not positively affect our lives.

Time for some folks to be triggered. You were warned. Our system was built upon white supremacy, racism and classism. Full stop. If you can't acknowledge that or wanna get in your feelings here's some lemons to go along with your salty tears.

While things have improved from where they once were this system hasn't fundamentally changed. It does everything it can to predetermine winners and losers. Truth is your family name and the zip code you are born in has as much in determining your destiny as anything.

Sure, there are some poc who are immensely successful. That has always been the case. We just have more now than, say, 50 years ago. But, judging poc's status by pointing to Oprah, Jo-Lo and LeBron James is idiotic! Because, how many poc who are "doing well" that aren't singers or media moguls or elite athletes? How many poc are in management positions? How many poc are in  corporations with realistic chances of advancement?

And, make no mistake there are poc who are heavily invested in maintaining the current system. They have made it so to hell with everyone else.

Look no further than the Congressional Black Caucus to see this illustrated. I am not saying there aren't good people in that caucus who haven't done some good things. But, let's keep it real. Almost all of those Congress people are corporatists and Neoliberals. They worry more about their donors and financial interests than the people they serve. If this weren't true they would be wielding their power and influence to reshape this system and put a real end to racial inequality and injustice.

I no longer have time to fuck around here. None of us who are actually committed to the anti-racist and anti-classism movement can afford to be passive or misguided.

I mentioned the symbolic gestures earlier. There is a reason these people applaud these things. Again to pick on the CBC but surely you noticed their relative silence during the first couple of weeks of protests but their "approval" of those dusty ass Confederate statues being taken down. Why do you think that is? Taking down those shitty ass statues doesn't change anything. It is all aesthetic. But, the actual protests were focused (mostly) on changing this system and calling to the carpet any and everyone upholding it. Changing the system is effin with their power and money!

We have to be focused and remained focus on the system. The way to do that is pay attention. Partake in electoral politics. Support groups and factions that are truly interested in seeing folks' lives materially changed for the better.

Local politics are vital. Support the most progressive candidates for the PTA, school board, city councils, district attorney, local judges and mayor. Get people who have your best interest into positions of power. When it comes to state politics do the same thing. If there are no progressive candidates support the ones who will have the most harm reduction and work on getting them to the right position. If they don't do it, find  more progressive people for the next election.

Look, this exactly how Republicans took over state and local governments. They focused on getting their people in and working from the grassroots. We must do the same.

Elections have consequences. Pay attention. Vote!

This system is going to change itself. If we want change, this broad multiracial multiethnic multi-faith coalition has to work together. Systemic racism, racial inequality and police brutality will end when we get people into power whom actually give a shit about ending these scourges.

Our issues are systemic! As Public Enemy said, "Fight the powers that be!"