Racism Aches Deeply

By

Keith L. Anderson, Ph.D

     My soul is tired and my eyes run like a river. Violence and hatred uncontrollably spins our world. It's shear force throws our society so far off course that we will never again be centered enough to love, live and let live. I ache deeply, like a hopeless romantic watching a sad movie. But this isn't a movie. It's living color, on a stage that has become black and white. As a youngster growing up in Vallejo, California, my Mama taught me to treat everyone the same. She often reminded me that good and bad came in all shapes, sizes and colors. As an adult I've tried living my life as a beacon of racial peace and harmony. However, I'm not a wealthy star athlete, famous rapper or an actor. No one cares what I think. Still, I'm compelled to pass on a piece of knowledge. 

If this country treated everyone with respect, there would be no need for "Black Lives Matter". And even if one person doesn't deserve respect, don't lay that person's ignorance on a whole race, culture or group of people. "Black Lives Matter" is important because right now in this country Black people are being killed. For Black People this is real and it breaks our hearts. So we need to scream "Black Lives Matter". Because Black people can be killed so freely, an internalized inferiority has become prevalent in the subconscious of many Black people. However every time we try to bring this serious situation to the forefront of society, people want to water it down by coming up with something like, "All Lives Matter". Only a heartless individual would not understand that all lives matter. "Black Lives Matter" is a cry for inclusion within the belief that "All Lives Matter". Stop killing us like we don't matter. Stop mistreating us like we don't matter. If this country can't be honest about racism and hatred, then we're ignoring the problem on purpose. 

I recently had lunch with a Native Indian friend of mine, I've known since college. He's a lawyer who has actually argued in front of the United States Supreme Court. He explained to me the Native perspective in regards to respecting Mother Earth. I totally agreed with what he was saying. But if man can't respect his fellow man, he ain't gonna give a damn about the ozone layer, trees, recycling or anything else. Personally, I'll start worrying about recycling, when I have don't have to worry about my Black teenaged sons being shot over a tail-light. 

Throughout history Black people have had to scream, "Black Lives Matter". We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. The truth of the matter is Black people had to scream "Black Lives Matter" to have a special amendment added, because those great words of The Constitution didn't include us. In fact, many of the men who wrote those great words went back to their plantations and slaves. Today, just by virtue of being an American, Black people shouldn't have to scream "Black Lives Matter". But the power of racism, dictates that Black people must scream even harder that, "Black Lives Matter". 

Racism's system of power, is so well placed in our society, that we are always having to scream and fight against it. Yet, there is one aspect of racism that is vital to its existence. When people aren't educated, they can be subjected to any treatment racism's system decides to offer up. When I say decides, I say it because racism is never an accident. It is done on purpose and must be un-done on purpose. To rid this country of racism it will take more than people's sad feelings towards horrible racist acts. It will take direct actions. Thus far apathy and the killing of minds has killed far more people than guns. Having said this, it is still disheartening. I wish my words mattered. I often wonder, where are our heroes? Where are those people who really want to make society a better place? I work, helping low income students and students of all colors, get into college. I was put on this planet to enrich, not get rich. Maybe one of them will be the next Dr. King, Mother Teresa or Gandhi. 

As I peer out into America's society, it's confuses me, much like Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The trail of bodies, helps me to understand that racism is real. Having to work so hard to navigate my way through it, oftentimes makes me feel like giving up. But the memory of those who fought so hard and die so senselessly, in hopes of, creating a day when the land of milk and honey would flow to each man or woman based on the mere fact they are human, prevents me. So, my last piece of knowledge to you is, please do not try to make sense of this society's hatred. Rather, in your own personal society, make definite plans to curtail hatred and racism. And just maybe, before the stage dims, we might get to feel what being human is truly about. Know that the cries of "Black Lives Matter", at its core, is a serious desire for inclusion into the family of, citizen of the United States of America.