Under the Same Sun

If you are African-American and reading this note, you’ve probably been watching CNN for the past hour now. If you are of any other ethnic group, you’ve probably just gotten word that three middle class black women were accused of shoplifting at an Old Navy store in Georgia. The question is; does racism still exist.

Well of course. This situation is duplicated in various settings across America. The case where a black person just so happens to “fit the profile” of a wanted criminal is old and played out much like the link between Hispanics and the lack of jobs, Middle Easterners and terrorism and Asian people and dog meat.

According to the July 23rd CNN report, three black women in their 20’s decided to go powershopping when they were detained by six Gwinnett County police officers in front of an Old Navy store. Leah Wells, one of the girls detained by police, told CNN that the crime was “being black in America”; I would have to agree.

Why so? Well, according to the report, store security was only alarmed to search for a “gang of shoplifters in the store”, which I find to be a rather broad description. This profiling could mean anyone and any age. So why were three black females detained? The proof is in the pudding, I don’t have to say what this appears to be. No implications necessary.

Someone out there is probably reading this saying, “Well, white people get racially profiled too… It’s not just a ‘black’ thing.” If this is the question asked, one should ask himself/herself who comes to mind in these situations:

1. “A woman was raped in her Hamilton County home”
2. “Three gang members were shot by police”
3. “Two men were arrested Saturday after robbing a gas station off HWY 153″
4. “Five students were involved in a bus fight at a bus stop on Wednesday.”

Some people would like to force themselves to say, “Well, these situations could be anybody,” which is very true. But what comes to YOUR mind, the average American mind? The mind that is more than likely molded to believe that minorities are delinquent in nature, and try not to lie to yourself in the meantime.

Others would argue that black people are more delinquent than other races and has been proven in the number of black arrests and black prisoners. But what makes America think that because more black people are arrested, detained, caught in the crossfire and accused than other races, that these actions to maintain justice are justified from the beginning? And just for kicks, not every imprisoned person is the culprit of the crime. Do the math.

The only other valid arguement I can imagine is one debating that black people make a racism issue out of everything. It has been validated that not every case of discrimination is rightfully assessed, let alone ‘black and white’, and that not every aggressor in a racist situation is of caucasian descent. In fact, the inverse is very true indeed.

But in the forementioned situation, I would have to concur that ‘black on white’ racism took place. Though I may have come to my conclusion, millions of people on both sides of the fence continue to argue on the subject. Some people think black people push the racism card too far while others agree that white people are in disbelief that racism exists. One thing is certain; racism still exists in America. Whether or not every situation of racism is valid remains in question.