4 minute read
What Do You Think?
By Tony J. Spencer
There is a major movement across the United States for changes in ways citizens are treated in terms of receiving equal justice: “Black Lives Matter.” However, the BLM movement that addresses multiple issues under the banner of “Justice” is also necessary right here in Annapolis.
Justice, peace, equality, and equity are all rolled together. Although I am retired now, I still want the same opportunities provided for every other citizen as when I was employed: to be treated equally and equitably by the law enforcement community, to receive gainful employment, to be given a fair shot at upward mobility to contribute in the workplace, to have equal access to fair housing and finance, to live a peaceful life wherever I choose, to see my children attend a school where they can excel and makes them feel welcome, to enjoy the social aspects of society, and above all, to be genuinely accepted in this country. I also want this for my grandchildren, as well as for all individuals in the varying racial and ethnic communities living the “American Dream.”
At this time, Annapolis is just a microcosm of what has been the status quo in every aspect of the greater society. Some people hate to be associated with the reality of why we are facing what we are facing now—racism. The usual response is, “I am not a racist!” However, to better understand why the subject of racism exists, we must stare it straight in the eye and characterize its qualities. My “Call-to-Action” for the Annapolis Community is that we recognize and admit the problem: racism exists, and it exists as a corporation of unwritten policies. As such, racism exists because it has been allowed to be woven into the fabric of our personal lives: our value system, our habits, our homes, our school curricula, our social settings, social clubs, private clubs, and our places of worship.
In the home, it is masked by recurring examples of parents referring to anything other than “white” as being “dirty,” “bad,” or “inferior.” School curricula presents the majority of inventors, doctors, military heroes, and until 2008, American Presidents as being primarily white males. Many churches have their main focus of worship, Jesus, represented as a white man with straight hair and blue eyes. The workplace has covertly devised the “glass ceiling” to prevent minorities from advancing in their careers. The problem of racism presented itself when a select group, specifically white males, had control and total access to all aspects of life: employment, education, economic mobility, the criminal justice system, transportation, financing, and fair housing.
If an accurate depiction of racism is to be fully understood, we must be honest and look at who is constantly being discriminated against in our society and ask ourselves this question: “Would I operate with the same intensity if these practices were geared toward my mother, my father, my wife, my husband, my sister(s), my brother(s), my daughter(s), my son(s) or anyone else in my family? If your answer is “no” for your loved ones, then the practice of racism is wrong for everyone and has been intentionally used as a damaging tool to divide our Community. Therefore, the movement in Annapolis for justice, peace, equality, and equity is necessary until the playing field is leveled for everyone. In the formation of the United States (U.S.), the governing leaders intended the Constitution of the United States to provide equality for everyone.
While the verbiage indicated equality for everyone, the intent vs. impact was actually defined as “For Whites Only.” The “Manifest Destiny” further defined the mindset of our founding fathers when Congress decided to expand the boundaries of America from East to West. What could not be legally bought from land owners was forcibly taken; lives were brutally lost and cultures destroyed— the ends justified the means.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; however, it was not until June 19, 1865 that all enslaved were, by law, completely free. Nevertheless, the policing of freed African Americans was harsh, inhumane, and simply ungodly. Our nation supposedly changed those laws and practices to serve as a rising tide elevating all boats. Obviously, as a society, we are not there yet. Whenever laws are made supposedly for the masses, they often subjugate a specific population; justice, peace, equality, and equity are thrown out of the window into a bottomless pit.
If power exists illegally, unethically, and succeeds with racist practices, it will revert to the same mentality and legacy of our forefathers. Therefore, it is not enough to say, “I am not a racist.” One must declare, “I am anti-racist, and weare a Community.” All Annapolitans must get involved to ensure that everyone celebrates the “Movement for Justice:” peace, equality, and equity for all; otherwise, we cannot celebrate “Justice for All.”
What do you think and why?
