Racism has been around forever, it seems. It is an issue within the halls of Congress. People always say it’s not racist, but racism doesn’t go away. Why does racism continue when so many people claim to be in favor of equal rights for all?
Colin Kaepernick tried to bring the problems to public attention nearly four years ago when he took a knee during the National Anthem at a professional soccer game in which he was a star player. He was later joined by other players. Instead of focusing on the purpose of kneeling, he was severely punished for being against the flag of the United States of America and against the military. That was not the case.
He has stated in interviews that he was using the position he held to bring awareness to the inequality in this country and the brutality often displayed by the police against black men. She realized that she had a platform where others did not, so he tried to use it to raise public awareness. He didn’t do it himself, but he was trying to make the world better for others. Instead, he was accused of being anti-American and anti-military. He subsequently lost his career over it and apparently went black in the NFL.
Growing up part black with a white birth mother and black father and being adopted into a white family, his experiences were not entirely the same as many black people growing up in various parts of the United States. Even those who have become wealthy and successful still feel they must warn their black children of the trouble they could face if they are ever confronted by the police. Racism was not dead and could be used against them for no cause or little cause. He was doing what he did for others who could use a voice and a platform.
Black professional athletes are the bread and butter of professional sports leagues. With over 70% black players on most teams, professional sports would suffer without them. They are extremely important to franchises and team owners. However, they and their concerns about racism have not been addressed. Even when the NFL finally issued an initial statement that they support Black Lives Matter, there was no mention of Colin Kaepernick.
Perhaps if the NFL, NBA, MLB, and others had listened four years ago, all the confusion and chaos surrounding the murder of George Floyd might not have happened. In fact, that unexpected death might not have happened if those issues of police brutality against black men had been rectified back then.
African Americans are not the only ones who have suffered from racism. Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and many others have also suffered. Japanese Americans faced extreme racial hatred during World War II, when 120,000 innocent people were forcibly removed from their West Coast homes and incarcerated in American concentration camps. It was mass incarceration through racial profiling that was the result of racism and hate.
However, it is unlikely that any other ethnicity has suffered from the racism that some black people routinely face simply because of the color of their skin. There may be people who are guilty of some crime who are harassed by the police, but there are too many unarmed, innocent black people, especially men, who face hardship and persecution simply because of their appearance.
Although most police officers are probably caring and compassionate people, it is a difficult job and there is still too much racism among law enforcement and the general public. It will not go away until there is more care, love, understanding and acceptance in the world. Hate fuels racism, and it’s still a big problem.
Hopefully, the peaceful protests after the untimely death of George Floyd will result in significant change in the United States. It will take a lot of people to change their minds and attitudes. It’s gratifying to see so many white people and others joining the black community on concerns that have been raised so many times in the past.
Racism has no place in society and must be eradicated. It is time for people to do their part, to give back if possible, and to make this a better world for all people.
