It’s time for us to stop being complicit in systemic racism.
Just when we thought we were experiencing something horrific and historical in Covid-19, we find it usurped by a far more horrific and historical condition—systemic racism and longstanding injustice of blacks, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The atrocious murder of George Floyd in front of us all as witnesses has prompted an unforeseen breakout. Our denial of racial inequality is in our face.
As a white woman, I’m working to uncover my own racism. I’m compelled to no longer deny, tolerate, or go along in the conventional ways. It behooves each of us to begin with a deep search within ourselves for internalized systemic beliefs that support racism. We accept that we’ll be uncomfortable, perhaps feel vulnerable, bringing to our conscious selves what we have not seen or chosen to ignore. When we do, we will be enlightened to make other choices—better choices in the service of racial equality.
Racial Equality and the Law
Racial equality occurs when institutions give equal opportunities to people of all races. In other words, regardless of physical traits such as skin color, institutions are to give individuals legal, moral, and political equality.
It’s easy to forget, ignore or not realize in the United States, racial equality has become a law that regardless of what race an individual is, they will receive equal treatment, opportunity, education, employment, and politics.
The law is the Equality Act that came into effect in 2010 that says you must not be discriminated against because of your race. It’s time to uphold the Equality Act and actively hold ourselves and others responsible to do so.
