African Americans are not one size fits all

I turned on CNN last night and I had to laugh. Please let me say there is nothing funny about COVID-19 but what is humorous is to watch how the media is trying to manipulate people of color. There were two African American women as guests talking to Don Lemon and Sanjay Gupta. One was a college professor and the other was a pastor. They were saying how black faith leaders should push the vaccine from their pulpits. I understand the importance of the vaccine for those who desire to become inoculated. What I cannot wrap my head around, however, is the logic regarding people of color.

African Americans, like those of every other race, are individuals and not one size fits all. Having two educated black women on television singing the praises of the coronavirus vaccine will not cause thousands of black men and women to run out and volunteer to get a shot. No matter how much they say "Come on in, I've tested the water and it is fine", there are those who don't and won't believe it. In 2020 Americans are wiser and will not ask "How high" when preachers and politicians say "Jump." COVID-19 is deadly and needs to be stopped but scare tactics and statistics regarding black folk will not change the minds of those who have decided not to get the shot.

There may have been a time when the title of preacher or politician carried a little weight in the black community. Today there have been too many manipulations, and promises not kept. In addition, younger generations do not view certain positions as their parents and grandparents once did. In addition, it is insulting to think that all African Americans will simply obey and not question what they are told by people in power. I recall during my senior year in high school someone wrote the N word on a black history display.

A rumor was started that the black students were going to riot. There were only about 40 African Americans in a school of over 800 so we would have been outnumbered. Even so, the principal went to my cousin who was the student body president and asked her to talk to her fellow students of color and ask us not to riot. There could have been a meeting in the gym and the principal address the black students himself which is probably what should have been done. He instead believed that because my cousin was voted in as president that she had some type of power to change things.

This line of thinking prevails today and is why Don Lemon believes he can have certain people on his show to influence all of black America. It's a nice sentiment but in this day and age, it will not work. Each American of all ethnicities will have to decide for themselves whether or not they will get the coronavirus vaccine. Thinking that every American of color is going to do what a politician or faith leader tells them is insulting. This is worse than the assumption that all blacks vote Democrat. Please, society, stop lumping us all together because believe me, we have varying opinions just like those of other races.

There is no way to bully or frighten all African Americans into getting the coronavirus vaccine or anything else, so please just stop. I'm sure Don Lemon meant well, but by now most every American knows the risks of the coronavirus. Black folk understands that our race might be at higher risk because of underlying health conditions but each individual in this nation will have to do what they think is best whether they are red, yellow, white, pink, purple, or black. In 2020 using a pulpit or political platform to enforce such matters might cause one to be told to stick their script and stay out of people's private business.

Contrary to popular belief African Americans are not a large group of dumb sheep who can easily be led astray. Many are tired of such stereotypes and this is why faith leaders and politicians should not be trotted out in front of the CNN cameras as if they can wave a hand and all will be well. Just give All Americans the necessary information, allow them to do their own research and come to their own conclusion. The vaccine will be just like wearing face masks. There will be those of every race who say "Thanks, but no thanks." and there is not much you can do about it. Having said that all sensible Americans will take very possible precaution to not become infected with or spread the coronavirus to others.