The Blue Print to change for African Americans in the United States
Once again another African American is killed by law enforcement and once again protests and riots ensue. Calls for change and unity go out, violence in retaliation is justified, but whether it’s Obama or Donald Trump in the White House, the reality is that it’s only a matter of time before it happens again. So how do we cause real change? Plenty of protests are made and beautiful words are said but nothing really changes. Am I saying not to protest or give speeches? I am not, your voice is definitely being heard. What I am saying is that there is a missing piece to the puzzle for lasting change. In recent years’ reliance upon protests and speeches have failed but they continue to be repeated as the only perceived methods of making the world a better place. I outline these short comings in my article ‘A CRITIQUE OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTERS MOVEMENT’. Instead of continuing this cycle I am proposing a method that has worked time and time again without failure. Groups like the NRA choose the path of policy influence to prevent changes that are not in their favor and Martin Luther King influenced policy makers in conjunction with speeches, public appearances and peaceful protests.
Let’s think about cigarettes for a moment. Why cigarettes you ask? Because shaming smokers and telling them it was unhealthy wasn’t enough to cause a change to cigarette smoking in this country. People who grew up smoking just continued to smoke, and the media (advertisements and movies) as well as people in positions of power (Doctor recommended ads running from 1930-1950) said it was ok. However, once policy changed, cigarettes became more expensive and the number of places you couldn’t smoke or have ads began to increase, those who shamed cigarette smokers had more power and influence and it de-popularized the trend in the United States. This is huge because tobacco is one of the original foundations of the United States economy, we even have a department dedicated to it, and the other historically fundamental parts of our economy that will never go away (ATF- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). This shows you that changes in policy can effect social trends as well as major industries no matter how indoctrinated they are in American culture. Now smokers are a minority in this country with higher health care costs and less places to function in society.
Using the cigarette example we must realize that the tools we have at our disposal each have a specific effect and only when used together can we change things. Peaceful protests will show solidarity amongst a large group of people but they won’t cause permanent change unless our local Sheriff and Mayor isn’t bombarded with messages of what we want to change while they are running for office (or in power) and our state representatives aren’t told what bills to vote for or introduced or we’ll never vote for them again. Likewise, messaging these people won’t have as great effect without a show of force/numbers via a peaceful protest. The remaining key peace that speaks volumes in this day and age is money. Voting the proper people into power and influencing their decision making is one thing. But when it comes to the origin of legislation, you have to reach the lobbyists. Unfortunately, the only way to reach this group is through money. Corporations and organizations influence lobbyists who then secure meetings with legislators and persuade them to do what benefits the lobbying group. Imagine if Black Lives Matter with all its celebrity and every day person supporters gave monthly donations to push policies that caused changes like:
Mandatory body cameras on police officers nationwide
Educational campaigns for police and civilians on their rights resulting in greater penalties for police officers who violate those rights.
-Many civilians give in to law enforcement because they are not aware of the powers given to them when faced with police authority. Also Police Officers sometimes knowingly or unknowingly trample on civil rights.
More intensive, routine police training with continual education
Rent control in gentrified neighborhoods
Greater educational support and job creation in urban neighborhoods
More public support and revised sentencing for non-violent crime offenders who can’t afford representation (many minority non-violent crime offenders are forced to take a plea deal and due time via public defenders and in many cases they are innocent).
Review of sentencing by judges from an independent 3rd party to ensure race did not play a factor
Rehabilitation centers offering psychiatric support for former hate group members
So once again, going back to the cigarette example, simply shunning racism and racists acts in this country won’t suddenly make people wake up one day and say ‘You know what, this is wrong, I shouldn’t do this anymore’. Via policy, you have to make the safe space these people function in and the places they live smaller until it’s simply not a good idea to be racist anymore. And just like there are multiple avenues of support for people who want to quit smoking, we have to offer a helping hand for those who want to leave hate groups. Many who join these groups are looking for family and community just like people who join gangs. If they can be offered a safe way out, we can increase the number of people who will take it.
“…simply shunning racism and racists acts in this country won’t suddenly make people wake up one day and say ‘You know what, this is wrong, I shouldn’t do this anymore”
Peaceful vs Violent Protests
For those who like to quote Martin Luther King to say that riots are unjustified, Martin Luther King has also said “Riots do not develop out of thin air…a riot, is the language of the unheard”. In addition, I outline in my article ‘Black Lives Matters vs All Lives Matter’ the list of affluent African-American communities from the late 1900’s to the early 20th century that were wiped out via riots at the hands of their white neighbors. With that being said, just because something is perceived to be justified does not mean it will invoke change. Ghandi and Martin Luther King built the model for political change. Most people believe things changed based on peaceful protests alone but fail to realize that Ghandi was a leader in the Indian National Congress in the 1920’s and 1930’s. In addition Martin Luther King via his influence from peaceful protests spoke to and supported the campaigns of politicians he felt aligned with his views. He also, campaigned to increase African American voter registration and spoke on policy and politicians.
Policy Change with any politician
So the next time your favorite athlete says ‘I’m not going to the White House because our president is racist’ I hope you realize the stupidity in that statement. If you are a figure with a large following you can influence a politician who seeks to maintain his power. Donald Trump was seen on Fresh Prince of Bel Air and appeared to be friends with black celebrities like Oprah Winfrey (who he said he wanted as Vice President in a 1999 interview with Larry King) but today he can’t denounce his white nationalist supporters because he needs their vote. Just like Joe Biden who helped to stop the blocking of funding to schools that wouldn’t segregate, opposed bussing policies that promoted integration (1975) and helped write the Crime Bill (1994) that incarcerated massive amounts of African Americans jokingly made the statement ‘You’re not black if you don’t vote democrat’ to secure his supporters. As a result, people like Kim Kardashian have done more work with the president to release minority prisoners than all minority athletes combined. Political influence goes a long way to attaining our goals, and the time to do it, is now, before we let ANTIFA to continue to hi-jack peaceful protests and burn our country down.
