It’s telling the way racists preemptively cover themselves by attacking anyone who might call them out for what they objectively and definitionally are. As their spurious contention asserts, the accusers are the problem---the perpetuators of racism---not the guilty practitioners; or that’s what we are led to believe.
To suggest that the liberal welfare state is predominantly responsible for the current struggles that many black Americans confront is so ludicrously tendentious and simplistic in its observation, that it dangerously detracts from real world approaches to deal with the indisputable issue of structural racism, which afflicts all institutions of this country.
But look at the projects? Yes, and look at the fact that many of the inner-city projects failed because of several factors, not the least of which was racism and capitalism itself, which drove white city residents (and job opportunities) out into the suburbs just as subsidized urban housing was taking hold. Compounding problems was the subsequent relocation of industry overseas, another consequence of capitalism, while federal assistance needed for upkeep dwindled.
And let’s also not forget the racist city planning directives and dubious housing contracts that deliberately segregated and swindled African Americans to their economic detriment. Meanwhile, racist redlining practices continue to this day that undermine any hope of attaining substantial financial growth in areas of most need. The culmination of these endemic barriers have far-reaching effects that will require decades more to effectively address, should we ever.
Frankly, the question should be how worse poverty would be without state assistance. And let’s not forget that, because of our racist narrative, we associate ‘welfare’ predominantly with black urban Americans, the dreaded “welfare queen”, when it is white rural residents who benefit more, that is, outside of the main groups who are the greatest beneficiaries: the disabled, elderly, children, and veterans…those damned moochers and takers, just slaves to the system.
In any event, I need only point to the immutable truth that if bigotry was truly abhorred in this country, the bigoted fascist in the White House would have never made it past his xenophobic coated presidential campaign announcement. Trump won in 2016 because of his Goebbels-inspired rhetoric, not despite it. And while he has since repeatedly demonstrated blatant acts of racism, among countless other intellectual and moral atrocities, he still has the support of some 60 million Americans, and he could still win again.
But we fought to free the slaves. Yes, and we also fought to preserve slavery. And while slavery would have ended on its own for various factors aside from the moral imperative, it would likely still be on the books in certain Southern counties had aggressive federal intervention not occurred. But more to the point, why should we seek gratitude for finally ending something so heinously immoral that it should have never occurred. Thank you, rapist, for not raping me again…see how absurd that sounds? And I say this for both sides of the political spectrum: common decency should be the norm, not a self-gratification competition.
And, as the Frank photo clearly documents, let’s not forget that racist segregation laws in the South continued for another century following the Civil War, an oppressive situation worsened by terroristic lynchings. Conservatives actually started spewing the obtuse ‘pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstrap’ argument prior to the Civil Rights Act while legislated discrimination was still imposed. Think about that.
Moreover, the oppressive and marginalizing impact of segregation was markedly exacerbated and prolonged by mass incarceration, in which black youth faced far worse sentencing than their white counterparts found guilty of the same crime. The ruinous effect of our biased judicial system cannot be ignored, and I highly recommend folks watch the documentary, “13th”, by director Ava DuVernay to better grasp the engrained magnitude of systemic racism.
Yes, white guilt loves the soothing elixir that a black conservative can offer; I know firsthand. But reality forces reexamination, and if anyone cites Candace Owen, then consider yourself a contributor to racism. We rewarded a lying, bigoted, idiotic fascist our country’s highest office, while the GOP has spent the last decade implementing bigoted voter suppression measures. Think about this, and then say with a straight-face that racism is largely the fabrication of its vocal opponents or conniving politicians. Shall we blame the Jews for the Holocaust?