Real Racism
Real Racism
A lot of times when a race issue comes up then it is really the media creating the controversy. I know of people from all races that have supported the black community and it’s families in the Trayvon Martin case, Marissa Alexander case, Michael Elder case and Michael Dunn’s killing based off Stand your Ground laws and Police Brutality. The media has not pointed out that much,. That even our own kind, has successfully been acquitted by the same laws over senseless acts of violence that did not have to take a gun to resolve, but cooler heads willing to talk instead of shoot would have been a better compromise.
Firstly, it is rare for the media to point the camera on the other races that show up at these rallies, vigils, and marches of injustice that may be done on behalf of a particular family seeking justice which race may be opposite of those in the crowd. It is being done on purpose and through what I call media segregation. It is being done to make us to believe that we are the only ones that care about our own kind and that is simply not true. It is their meaning select media’s job and directives to make it a black and white issue to manufacture its own story of controversy, when in all actuality it is a multi-cultural issue that people feel justice was not done and has yet to be fulfilled in the cases I have mention previously in this article. We always will continue to have media spin doctors to put stories in their view and does not reflect the real issue at hand.
Furthermore, you will notice on Facebook and on other media and blog websites that there are derogatory, defamatory, and racially insensitive dumb comments to blend in with the articles on what they view as a race related injustice. We should all want the same thing justice. No matter our personal prejudice, bias, or opinion, the goal for everyone should be seeking justice through innocence, not guilty, or with guilt. We all have been or known victims. They may not look like us, but we feel and pray that they can have closure during a time of great crisis. Moreover, there fight is still our fight, but a coward does not even deserve a piece of the sidewalk.
Secondly, during my return to Norfolk, I have enjoyed the meetings with civic leaders and with people of many different backgrounds. The problems of the City continue to exist, but there is more of a will for people to keep moving foward and not backwards. This was demonstrated through a revived energy of leadership before, during and after the election. Michael J. Muhammad has proven that he is the leadership and the voice of the black community. In order for Mayor Fraim to effectively take on the issues that we have in our City is by seeing, knowing, and proving that our leadership exists that is unwavering and that example was what he faced during his re-election campaign. There is no way Mayor Fraim can avoid, ignore, or dismiss the black community, because our voice is loud and clear. The media comes to Mr. Michael J. Muhammad for the response to racial injustice in the City and rarely do I hear a group that he has to represent for, because he represents the whole community. We are always proud to hear his answer represents us and not protective and protracted statements that lets injustices get off the hook. He is the leadership that is no longer in crisis.
Thirdly, All black people do not hate white people because it is false. All white people do not hate black people because that’s false. It is always someone on your side on any point of view that you can imagine. It may not be the people you expect that will be on your side, this is true. Furthermore, I am the prime example of finding out how many people that I never thought, knew, or had the privilege of meeting that I would find out was on my side. They paid more attention to my character and the issues that I address before making an informed decision about me. I encourage them to do the same for others and continue the quest of knowledge of an issue and not ignorant of the lack of in their own disposition of others.
Moreover, I spoke with one of my professors before coming to the area. I take her words very seriously and sometimes I need to have that reality check. She said I was arrogant and had a “I do not give a fuck attitude.” This was not a complete assessment of who I am, but who I was starting to become. I was letting my enemies begin to win when I already had them losing.
Accordingly, I had to go back to what I love instead of embracing the confrontation to take on hate. A good teacher, mentor, or person that has taken on that role of guidance will continue to mold me for a bigger purpose and that is all that I hope that everyone has a opportunity to find. The definition of being what you want to become and not what other’s hope that they can destroy.
Lastly, I am happy to be here and look forward to meeting and saving the best for last because the work will continue forward. Do not let the hate that comes from a few address an entire population. Put your shoes on the other foot, the race is irrelevant. The question that I ask everyone is how would you feel if the same injustice happen to someone that you loved? The answer should be the same that should be given to others and be committed to actions that create justice and not silence. Everyone that you think hates you is making you out to be a lie, because it is no truth in that statement. Whether it be God or someone you may or may not know, it is always someone that loves you!
Article written by Merle T. Merle Rutledge Jr
merletrutledge 