Understanding The Struggles Of Black America

Black America is going through it right now.

Although our ancestors have endured the horrible effects of slavery, Jim Crow, and reconstruction, today's African American population is encountering a combination of old-school oppression tactics and new-age designs to further manipulate black citizens' dangerous situation in the United States.

Firstly, the impact of the coronavirus on black communities in America is devastating. Over forty-five thousand Black Americans have lost their lives to this unseen killer. Another problematic aspect of our plight is the current 11.4% unemployment rate among black people. At any other time, the horrific combination of healthcare and financial struggles would cripple any modern civilization.

Now, let us add the volatility among various racial groups in America. Three months from the insurrection at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. Many Black Americans viewed this "riot" as a clear example of white privilege and misguided outrage about the perceived theft of the 2020 presidential election.

The treatment of white citizens during America's temper tantrum on January 6th was a stark contrast to the harsh tactics used against primarily peaceful protesters following the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Armand Aubrey throughout 2020. This evident hypocrisy is not surprising to black people. Since our arrival to America, we have been a witness and mostly victim to the separate and unequal treatment. The proud boys, oath keepers, and other hate groups are just spinoffs of the Ku Klux Klan.

The major difference is their warped beliefs are encouraged by the coded racist language of Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham, and Marjorie Taylor-Green. After enduring four years of lies, neglect, and corruption of the Trump administration. Black Americans, particularly in Georgia, ousted the 45th president and gave Senate control to the Democratic Party.

Now, some people would view the first black female Vice President as a step in the right direction. Yet, as we break down barriers, other walls keep us in the same box. Republican state governments around the nation responded to Trump's loss by using his "big lie" to create oppressive voter laws to deter African Americans from voting in large numbers.

Once again, we only see the change that comes to harm us. Senate Republicans' aggressive fight against passing federal voting legislation bill HR1 is another indication of their willingness to keep America great.

Especially if you are in the wealthy, white minority.

For Black Americans, we must move on to the next topic, which is the ongoing debate about the COVID-19 vaccine. Some black people believe the vaccine contains a tracking microchip or a mind-altering drug that will place us under the government's control. However, neither theory has proven to be accurate.

The history of medical treatments on African Americans has given us a healthy mistrust of the medical community. However, other people are willing to take the vaccine to prevent becoming infected by the coronavirus. Heated words, emotions, and preconceived notions collide when discussing this terrifying topic. Still, as we move towards the mass vaccination phase, we once again must choose between our historical perspective and our future's perceived betterment.

While in Minneapolis, the start of the Derek Chauvin murder trial has reopened the troubling death of George Floyd. The emotionally charged case recounts the events of this tragedy. Many black people flashback to past trials involving the police beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the slaying of Trayvon Martin in Florida. The unnecessary deaths of other black citizens like Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, and Philando Castile among countless others leave a stark reminder of America’s disregard for the African American community.

We can expect to witness the demonization of Mr. Floyd's character. An in-depth discussion of his criminal past and the expected reliance on fear of black men to secure an innocent verdict for the former Minneapolis police officer. As an observer, I hope that justice happens for the Floyd family. It would be great to see murderous cops held accountable for their horrific actions.

Still, I am not expecting to hear a guilty verdict. History tells us that even clear cases can be murky due to legal loopholes and procedures. At the end of this trial, the words “not guilty” could reignite another powder keg of violence on the streets due to the repeating cycle of injustice for black people in America. Now, as we fight against violence from police officers and wannabe vigilantes.

Our community has been facing an increasing number of homicides in major urban cities such as St. Louis, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Many young African Americans turn to gangs and crime due to their displacement & neglect by the U.S. Government. These young people are desperate for a purpose and looking for belonging in the wrong places. Some African Americans would say that there is not a black-on-black crime problem, yet most evidence has shown that many homicides occur among people of similar races.

Therefore, we cannot continue to ignore the troubling problem of drugs on the streets, gang culture growing in our neighborhoods, broken family structures destroying children, and harmful government policies that hurt the entire community. Today, we face a variety of pressing social challenges. It would be foolish to think that you or I could effectively combat this gauntlet of problems in one lifetime.

Yet, we cannot live in the dark. We cannot keep ignoring the underlying causes of our troubles. Yes, there are many villains, many people who have a personal stake in showing division among all Americans. Now is the time to fight back! Yet, the way we do it is simple, simple in theory.

We need to learn ourselves and rebuild our families as soon as possible. The regaining of our sanity and development of our smallest members needs to be priority number one. Now I know that my ideas are not original or even easy to accomplish in a broad societal sense, but the minor acts spark the most revolutionary actions.

We can defy the odds by simply breaking the generational curses that plague our DNA. We must not waste another opportunity to give our children a chance, a real chance to succeed in this country. Will you join me? Will you help yourself? Will you help your kids?

The answer lies within you.