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Racial injustice

14/5/2015

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Racial injustice: A question of degree is not a measure of the deed

Op-Ed: First Lady Michelle Obama recently told an audience of black graduates at Tuskegee University she feared racial stereotypes might be harming her husband’s election campaign, and worried what her daughters might feel if they knew what people were saying about her.

Subsequently she was criticized by Kareem Jackson, of Hands Up United saying, “In America, the black experience my mother endures is drastically different to the black experience of Michelle Obama. We are currently living in a country that allows certain black people to hide behind the guise of privilege, class, and education.”

I argue the question of the degree of racial injustice is not a measure of intrinsic unjustness. The experiences of racial prejudice are no less injurious to a black person of status than to the average individual—young black men are the exception, for they suffer inordinately more than the rest of the population as the result of white privilege and systemic racism.   

The experiences of Ms Jackson’s mother are different from Michelle Obama or even Michelle Obama’s mother. I doubt anyone would question the situational dissimilarity.  Still, racial bias and injustice are no less worrisome independent of who the target happens to be.

Women in general have been suffering injustice for hundreds of years. The female corporate person who is passed over for promotions continually suffers similar disappointment as a woman working in retail or fast food who has no hope of ever being considered for a supervisory position. Both suffer economic, social, and institutional inequality.  

Injustice by any other name is still unconscionable. The core values of civil and human rights are not class specific or become less hurtful across economic or social barriers.  In fact, a person of means who suffers injustice could feel even more isolated in their experience, for they might not have the direct support of civil rights groups, unions, or even laws for protection and advocacy.

As the Guardian points out, “For every story of someone who overcame crushing poverty to achieve massive success there are thousands of others of those who continue to languish in low-wage jobs and in substandard conditions. In fact, while nearly two out of three white people make it into the middle class by middle age, according to economic expert Isabel Sawhill, that number drops to just three out of 10 for black people.”

Affluent African Americans and people of color have had to be “twice as good” in their personal and professional lives to achieve success. And no one denies the millions of others who struggle and confront racial and economic oppression in their daily lives. Until equality and social justice are achieved for all people of color and gender, as well as the poor and disabled across economic and social lines, persistent advocacy is an American responsibility. It’s like dropping a stone in a pond.

Civic responsibility begins within families and graduates out into the community and local government, then to the election of state lawmakers and finally to the US Congress and the President of United States.

Mrs. Obama’s personal concerns for how her children could be affected by misconceptions and even lies about her are universally felt by women—and even men—who are unjustly portrayed based on racial stereotypes. Because not all women have access to influence the national conversation, the First Lady’s candor and honesty is appreciated by those who suffer from
oppression and injustice.

Resources
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/12/michelle-obama-twice-as-good-african-americans-black-people
3 Comments
Hannah
14/5/2015 01:59:42 pm

Racism should not here any more in the 21st century. Have we not progressed at all. You do not get asked how you want to be born therefore being white is not an achievement . It just happened to some people. So where is the big deal and how dare they look down on people which is not their fault

Reply
Dava Castillo
14/5/2015 03:31:34 pm

Thank you for reading and commenting Hannah.

Institutional and systemic racism is difficult to rectify and even identify sometimes because it doesn't make the evening news like attacks and murders. There is a long ways to go in this country for racism and prejudice against women to be neutralized to the point that we don't need to write about any longer. I probably won't see it in my life time, but I hope my grandson does. I will persevere for him and his generation.

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eileen
15/5/2015 04:34:22 pm

Interesting Dava

It's a tough one isn't it? Inequality and prejudice is unfair and hurtful to all it touches. But I do think some will suffer more maybe as they are vulnerable in other ways too.

But either way racism, sexism and most isms have no place in modern society.

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    Dava Castillo

    is retired and lives in Clearlake, California.  She has three grown children and one grandson and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from St. Mary’s College in Moraga California. On the home front Dava enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, cooking and sewing. 

    After writing for four years on the news site Allvoices.com on a variety of topics including politics, immigration, sustainable living, and other various topics, Dava has more than  earned the title of citizen journalist. 

    Politics is one of her  passions, and she follows current events regularly.

    In addition, Dava has written about sustainable living and conservation.  She completed certification at the University of California Davis to become a Master Gardener and has volunteered in that capacity since retirement.

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