A 4-year-old Black girl looks in the mirror. What does she see looking back at her? Ugly, nasty, not good enough. A reflection of society’s opinion. A Man of Color walks down the street. What does his neighbor see? Threat, up to no good, criminal. So he goes to eliminate him with a gun. A Woman of Color speaks. How does she appear? Angry, aggressive, hostile. No matter her words, tone or posture. Students are more likely to get expelled, suspended and be disciplined. Black youth are seen as wayward, trouble-makers, problematic. Families – absentee fathers, food-stamps, welfare, Taking advantage of systems, reason for society’s criminality and instability. On TV, often depicted as the bad guy. Associated with drug and crime. Lazy. In reality – 2-3 times more likely to be killed, Victims of racial profiling.
Police are human, they don’t live in a vacuum. So if there are biased police and encounters ending with police brutality – They are likely a reflection of a biased society. Our society needs to own the problems, Then we can go about trying to resolve them.
When people say they don’t see Color We assume they need to just open their eyes. But maybe they’re of privilege or are on the rise – and there really aren’t many People of Color at their side. When People of Color moved into White neighborhoods, those residents shifted to their gated communities and suburbs. There is sufficient evidence of discrepancies against People of Color despite Ethnicity and Creed.
So if need be, look beyond your sphere. You will see People of Color – They exist, they are there. In the meantime – No matter who you are or where you live, don’t be afraid to check and see how you contribute to, or can remedy, this reality.