It gives me an opportunity to debunk a popular myth called “systemic racism.”
This is an Obama-era narrative that stated the different treatment of Black Americans by the justice system has become “painfully and tragically normal.” Obama called on the police to create a “new normal.” Today, several mayors and governors repeat the claim. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for example, recently denounced the “stain…of institutional racism in law enforcement.” Unfortunately, for them, and others, claiming, accusing, pronouncing or even having the impression that… doesn’t make it so. Facts are more reliable.
Several FBI studies, for example, find no bias in the criminal justice system with regard to arrests, prosecutions, or sentencings. Of the 375 million annual encounters police have with civilians, BEHAVIOR, NOT RACE, determine police action. In 2019, according to the Washington Post, police fatally shot 1,004 people. Of those, 28 were unarmed. 19 were White. 9 were Black. Those 9 represent .1% (that’s 0.1%) of all Blacks killed in 2019. I don’t think any fair-minded person can call that “systemic.” There are many other studies exposing the myth of “systemic racism” including one from the National Academy of Sciences that concluded there is “no significant evidence of anti-black disparity” in law enforcement.
Only in America (and a few emails) can an ethnic group have Black Awareness Month, Black only colleges, dating sites, bars and clubs, Black lobby groups, a Black Congressional caucus, and Affirmative Action, and complain about systemic racism.
Having said all that, the officers who murdered George Floyd must be held accountable. Are there sporadic examples of abuse? Of course. Increased training, screening is needed. If the Ferguson effect is used as an excuse to handcuff the police in minority neighborhoods in cities like Chicago, Portland, Seattle, and Minneapolis, it is the law-abiding African-Americans whose safety will be compromised and they will be the victims. DO NOT DEFUND THE POLICE. DEFEND THEM!
Next. It’s nice that you “personally witnessed“ all the peace in NYC. I guess you missed the filth in Abolition Park. I guess you missed the hundreds of arrests from midtown to SoHo. I guess you missed what the NY Post called “citywide rampant, open looting and vandalism.” Stores like Bloomingdales, Gucci, Chanel, Nike, Macys, and 450 others were demolished. I am not familiar with any accurate cost estimates, but the WSJ has estimated that between the damages, lost revenue, and increased future insurance, costs will be from $750 million to $1.5 billion. Sorry you missed all that. That <1% you refer to are sure active. By the way, I wouldn’t forgive the other 99+%. They stood by and watched.
Next. You refer to “constitutional amendments being proposed by BLM.” There are no constitutional amendments that I know of being proposed. That would be a lawful remedy. They have “demands!” Reparations, no bail, no death penalty, free education, free health care, defund the police, cut the military budget, and redistribute wealth are some. Please note, there is no mention of black lives in BLM demands. I suggest you look up their origin and their platform to get a better understanding.
Finally, there was a Black pastor, who, in 1961, speaking in St. Louis, put it all in perspective:
“Negroes are 10% of the city and responsible for 58% of its crimes. We have to face that. We have to do something about our moral standards. We know there are many things wrong in the white world but there are many things wrong in the black world too. We can’t keep blaming the white man. There are things we must do ourselves.” -Martin Luther King.
Response to the above from Adam:
I hope you don’t mind but I’m going to question some of what he’s saying.
He says the movement is about fighting systemic racism and claims it doesn’t exist… I’m under the impression that this group agrees most people are racist to varying degrees. So systemic racism absolutely exists.
As for “anarchists and criminals” that is completely untrue. 99%+ of the protesters are peacefully marching and demonstrating (as personally witnessed across NYC). The incidences of looting just happens to make for the best TV news.
Finally, I don’t agree with many of the constitutional Amendments being proposed by BLM. However, there are serious issues with how black people are counted for voting purposes that need to be addressed.
