Dear White People
No racism did not end with the death of Martin Luther King. He was killed BECAUSE of racism.
This narrative that states that anti-black racism no longer exists needs to be called into question.
Is racism said to be over because there are no longer signs that say,"WHITE PEOPLE ONLY?"The disappearance of overt acts of anti-black racism does not mean that this is no longer an issue in today's society. Historians and politicians eager to whitewash the sordid legacy of anti-black racism have done a good job convincing us that blatant acts of racism are the only forms of racism. Once these disappear, that obviously means racism is gone. Unfortunately that's not how this works.
1. Being one of two black people in a university class indirectly says, "WHITE PEOPLE ONLY."
2. Having any subject dealing with Black history offered as an elective course only in your 4th year says "NO BLACKS ALLOWED."
3. Having to field questions on my changing hairstyles that apparently leave me "unrecognizable," and are seen as ratchet, untidy and/or unfitting for a "workplace environment' is anti-black racism.
4. Trigger happy police officers, security guards and gun wielding vigilantes who have made the targeting of black bodies, their own personalized version of the Hunger Games is anti-black racism at work.
5. The existence of news networks much like FOX News, that have built their empire and driven their ratings up the wall by saying the biggest problem in the black community is black on black violence, rap music and Barack Obama is blatantly anti-black and racist.
6. Donald Trump is actually seen as a viable candidate to run for President. Need I say more?
7. Black Students being forced to stay in their dorms because White students want to attack them for defending their rights to simply exist in their blackness is anti-black racism. We see you Mizzou.
8. Witwatersrand University in South Africa might as well put, 'Rich white students only,' on their university application package. The continual increase of tuition has made post-secondary education an unattainable reality for many, specifically affecting Black South Africans, who make up the majority of the lower working class in South Africa. This classism is directly rooted in anti-black racism.
9. Aiyana Stanley-Jones was 7 years-old. Tamir Rice was 12. Trayvon Martin was 17. Black children are murdered and the justice system says,"That's bad. But....." That's anti-black racism.
I could write so many more reasons that attest to the fact that anti-black racism is still very much rooted in the construct of our society. There will be people a la Stacey Dash and Charlotte Rampling, who will not understand the logic in my words and attempt to use the reverse racism card.
I will be told that "all lives matter." Well I'm talking about Black lives right now because the current structure of the world has made it obvious that we do not matter.
Do with this what you wish but realize that anti-black racism did not end with the death of one of our leaders (Martin Luther King),whose politic was white washed by white supremacy and his message of black liberation diluted beyond recognition. White people killed MLK. Lest you forget that was a racist act.
Now let's sing Kumbaya...