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Week 4 Critique Review
This was a tough one for which there was no easy response. One of the
things I had hoped to bring out was a question… “Why would my
instructor ask us to look at this situation? Isn’t it obvious? It’s
just as bad now as it ever was.” That seems to be the popular opinion,
especially when reading or viewing media reports. While I asked for
perspective and critical thinking, in retrospect, I do not feel I
properly prepared you. Not intentional, but maybe that’s what happened.
You tell me.
In order to look at this from a deep (or critical) thinking
perspective, we have to assume two things: 1) We have to know history,
and 2) We have to acknowledge that humanity at large is not perfect.
This is my opinion. It may or may not be supported by others.
On March 4, 1789, the Constitution was ratified. Reading it you will
note in Article 1, Section 2, No. 3, redistribution of taxes to the
states is based upon population. Indians are not counted. Slaves are
counted as “three-fifths” of a person. It was flawed, but a necessary
compromise to get the support of Southern states.
In the midst of a Civil War, on Sept. 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln, hoping
to save the Union, issued his Emancipation Proclamation. Slaves are
freed.
Following the Civil War, Northern Carpetbaggers moved into the South
and reportedly offered recently freed slaves, most of whom couldn’t
read, 40 acres and a mule for their political support.
States enacted Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws to enforce segregation and
keep Black people from exercising their right to vote. The
Reconstruction Act of 1867 attempted to address this.
In the first half of the 1900s, lynchings were common in the Deep
South. Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a powerful force and even reached into
many areas of the North (including Ohio). John Birch Society was formed
and grew for a period of years.
Despite the Reconstruction Act, segregation (separate but equal) and
voting restrictions continued until the 1960-70s when the Civil Rights
movement began and gained prominence. The Civil Rights Act was passed
in 1964. Laws and human attitudes, however, are often two different
things.
The 1960s was a tumultuous, violent decade. Many Americans – Black and
White – protested for Civil Rights. Enter Martin Luther King (later
assassinated); enter John F. Kennedy (President, later assassinated);
enter Robert F. Kennedy (Senator, later assassinated). Dozens, possibly
hundreds, of civil rights activists either disappeared (presumed dead)
or were killed outright. Peaceful demonstrators were brutally beaten,
sometimes killed, on a regular basis. Perpetrators were typically not
punished. The Civil Rights Act, and later, Affirmative Action, provided
some success in helping the African American cause.
In the 1950s – the time frame during which I was growing up – nobody
could have imagined there would be an African American president. Since
then, four states have boasted African American governors. Dozens of
cities across the country have (or had) African American mayors. Jackie
Robinson was the first Black player to break into “white” sports in
1947 (baseball). Today, most sports are dominated by people of color.
This is no gift; they are there because they earned it.
Two videos that got very low student rating…
Bridge Over Troubled Waters – my fault – this needed historical and
personal perspective. It was written during the Civil Rights movement,
following the deaths of three Civil Rights leaders (as noted above). I
was pleased to see Kevin researched it. It did have an impact on many
of those in my generation, although I could just as easily have used
some of the other popular songs of the day, such as Bob Dylan’s
“Blowing in the Wind.” A matter of preference; impact was more to those
of us who lived it than can be perceived by those who didn’t.
Redefining Race & Ethnicity in the U.S. – the low rating on this
one surprised me. I wanted you to think of possible future solutions.
Wouldn’t this be a piece of the puzzle?
Almost without exception, historic efforts for equality by African
Americans have been peaceful. Resistance to those efforts often crossed
the line. Note the word “often.” As in weekly, sometimes daily. Do
these incidents today occur as (or more) often, or is the reporting of
them more focused (or sensational)?
If you do some research you might read about the Ferguson (St. Louis
suburb) riot. A police officer shot an unarmed Black man. The victim
was in a rage and charging him and the officer was in fear for his life
(this was supported by eye-witness accounts from both Black and white
witnesses). Rioters destroyed many Black-owned businesses. The police
officer was later exonerated but his career was over. Nobody would hire
him. While I saw an article that said, “a white police officer killed a
Black man in Ferguson, causing riots” I saw nothing about the
circumstances under which it happened. Truth in reporting or reporting
by choice?
I did a little research and came up with the following link:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/black-progress-how-far-weve-come-and-how-far-we-have-to-go/
Read the article, then think about what is happening. Some
demonstrations are peaceful, some are not. Seattle, Washington, has
actually bequeathed a section of its city to anarchists. Legitimate
businesses and residents in that section are suing the city. Statues
are being defaced and/or torn down. Name changes for cities, schools,
streets – even products - are being demanded. The focus seems to be on
removing history. Or is it?
Think about the concept of selective racism… dozens, if not hundreds of
kids die from gun violence (homicides and suicides) every WEEK! Is
there outrage over that?
There are over 800,000 peace officers in the United States. In the last
decade 1,627 peace officers have died in the line of duty. In 2018
alone there have been nearly 60,000 assaults against peace officers,
resulting in nearly 20,000 injuries and 58 deaths. On the other hand,
in 2018 there were 996 fatal police shootings. Simple math tells you
that’s 1.25 in a thousand in what many would consider a dangerous
profession. We still don’t know what was justified and what wasn’t.
That takes dedicated research.
I noted above that one needless death is one too many. But I also
understand that humans are not perfect. You will find “bad apples” in
any (and every) reasonably large group. We hold peace officers to a
higher standard – of necessity – but that doesn’t mean their proverbial
houses don’t need cleaning.
Read the information I have provided, then think about what is
happening. Feel free to do your own research. Think deeply. Think
critically. As I said before, race relations is extremely complicated.
It is something future generations will have to deal with. There is no
easy answer. Is communication an important factor? Ethics? Respect for
learning? Diversity? Teamwork? I’ll repeat my question from last week:
“If we are ever to come close to resolving the issues of today, we have
to know what's been done in the past - good and bad. Some want to erase
American history. Some want to re-write it. Some call America
fundamentally flawed. Some say America is still the land of opportunity
for all races and backgrounds. My generation didn't get the job done.
But did it at least start the process?
I’m a “glass half full” type of person. I have to believe that some day
true equality among all members of our society will not only exist but
also be perceived as such by its members. That day hasn’t arrived and
at 75 I doubt I’ll see it, but I can hope. Do you believe you will see
it in your lifetime?
Think critically. Be honest. Give your opinion and support it. Depth of
effort and insight will generate EC (although I acknowledge most of you
don’t need it… if you wish, consider Respect for Learning as your
primary motive).
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