The nationwide furor over the growing number of black men inexcusably murdered by white police officers in recent months (184 in the first seven months of 2015 alone — with only 3 of those cases leading to the offending officer or officers being charged with a crime) has put the public spotlight on one of American culture’s more uncomfortable realities – systemic racism. And the very real problem that this spotlight indeed illuminates is made even more uncomfortable by the fact that national surveys have consistently shown that the majority of white Americans have been conned into believing that systemic racism doesn’t even exist at all.

To that end, please consider the following FACTS:

*FACT – the Institute on Assets & Social Policy reported that the racial wealth gap actually tripled between 1984 & 2009 (that’s right – it tripled AFTER the civil rights movement was supposedly in full swing), with the average white family having a net worth of roughly $265,000 and the average black family having a net worth of just under $29,000.

*FACT – The Urban Institute reported that blacks were two times more likely to be rejected when applying for a home mortgage loans than whites.

*FACT – A massive 2004 University of Chicago study found that blacks with identical resumes were 50% less likely to receive call-backs from potential employers than whites.

*FACT – Indeed, an American Journal of Sociology study shows that young whites with felony convictions were actually more likely to receive job application callbacks than young blacks with clean records.

*FACT – A recent Department of Education report showed that black students were punished more frequently and more severely than their white classmates.

*FACT – A 2010 American College of Physicians report noted that racial minorities regularly receive poorer-quality healthcare than white Americans.

*FACT – Even though whites statistically use drugs more frequently than blacks, blacks are three times more likely to be arrested for drug possession.

*FACT – Even though whites have a significantly higher “contraband hit rate” than blacks (i.e. the likelihood that police will find illegal material or paraphernalia in a vehicle), blacks are stopped & searched two times more often.

*FACT—One in three black males born today can reasonably expect to go to prison at least once in their lifetimes. Blacks are also more likely to be sentenced to life in prison than whites for similar crimes, and it has also been shown that the longer a prison sentence is, the more likely it becomes that the prisoner doing that time is a member of a racial or ethnic minority.

*FACT – A 2014 U.S. Sentencing Commission report admitted that black males generally receive prison sentences that are 19:5% longer than their whites for the same crimes committed. Just as disturbing, this racial gap in sentencing has actually been increasing over the past ten years.

*FACT – Black people (specifically black males) are significantly more likely to be shot & killed by the police than white males, and this even though over 70% of those blacks killed by the police were unarmed, “non-dangerous” suspects. Indeed, Vox’s Dara Lind analyzed FBI data and found that blacks – who make up just 13% of the U.S. population – account for over 31% of U.S police shooting victims in 2012. (And this data is probably severely low-balled, seeing as how it is based on reports that are voluntary provided by police departments from around the country)

So, even though the questions of WHY systemic racism is a reality in the United States are best left to the experts (see comment #02 below for an excellent video on the subject by Dr. Joy Leary), I have faith that it is fair to say that the reality that is systemic racism in America really cannot be denied. And rather than leave the discussion at that admittedly depressing conclusion, I would like to focus now on HOW WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER – specifically several ways that white people can make it better …

Solution #01) LISTEN attentively & non-defensively to people of color when they talk about their experiences with systemic racism and white privilege. Even if you happen to disagree, and especially if you are one of the many white folks who are not perpetrating racism in your community, LISTEN anyway. Some blacks might very well be unjustifiably condemning you for their disadvantage & daily distress (and such attacks can indeed be rightfully clarified & soothed) and et the vast majority of African Americans are simply venting to be heard, not to accuse or vilify. LISTEN appropriately – with empathy & respect. Don’t walk away, don’t make excuse and whatever you do, don’t offer solutions or encouragement or backdoor advice … Just LISTEN.

Solution #02) God further than this short Facebook post went and EDUCATE YOURSELF about the insidious depth and remarkable pervasiveness of systemic racism in the United States. The more you know about the facts, the more you can empathize with those suffering from racism in your community, and the more able you will be to see and engage opportunities to be a force for positive change.

Solution #03) Gently yet firmly challenge your white friends, family members, associates, classmates & even strangers to think differently about race & race relations. If you hear something or see something that is even remotely racist, SPEAK UP … Do it kindly & do it respectfully, and be sure to DO IT.

Solution #04) When racial prejudice is brought up, avoid conflating other social injustices with racism. In the moment that a person of color is expressing frustration or disgust over systemic racism, it doesn’t matter that you are gay, or a woman, or a Jew, or a vegan animal rights advocate. What matters in THAT moment is that you respectfully listen, that you compassionately empathize, and that you openly respect the person doing the venting.

Solution #05) If you make a mistake & inadvertently offend a person of color, openly apologize, humbly offer to ATONE for your error, and ask the one offended how you can best do so.

Solution #06) GET INVOLVED with the minority members of your community. Volunteer with black &/or Latino youth, attend a black church, patronize black-owned business, volunteer in mostly minority neighborhoods. There are literally hundreds of opportunities in your neighborhood to get involved in this way – to reach out with your presence and your peace and build bridges between yourself and those still deemed “other”. Until we start pro-actively caring for each other as ONE, we will continue to be divided by our ignorance, by our fears & by our delusions.

Amen … Let it be so.

(inspired by Joe Posner & Derrick Clifton et al)

 

Filed under: Renouncing Racism by Scaughdt