Reimagining our co-existence

What does it take to bring America to seriously address racism? Protests after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 brought many commitments but real change continues to require sustained and determined struggle. (Photo: Victoria Pickering/Flickr).

The historical and ongoing struggle for Black equality in America is a narrative woven from resilience, sacrifice and a persistent yearning for true equity within our nation. What does it say about America today that this remains a yearning? 

The recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit to halt the Fearless Fund, a Black-owned venture capital firm, from awarding grants solely to Black women entrepreneurs simply reinforces how much work remains to be done in this country to obtain true equality for Black Americans. The decision brings our journey to a critical crossroads. Let us just reflect for a minute on some milestones in the journey to determine the way forward.

We begin in 1619, with the forced arrival of the captives — Africans on American soil. Their journey was not just geographical; it was a brutal severance from their homeland, culture, and families. Here, they were denied literacy and forced to build a nation's wealth, not their own.

The Emancipation Proclamation marked a turning point. Black people not only displayed their value by contributing to the burgeoning American economy, but also played a pivotal role in securing the Union victory during the Civil War. American heroes like Frederick Douglass and Robert Smalls stand as testaments to this contribution.

Booker T. Washington, a visionary leader, established the National Negro Business League more than a decade before the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) was founded. He even served as an advisor to President Taft, who later established the USCC. These advances showcased Black initiative, ingenuity, and leadership.

However, progress was not linear. The blossoming Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a testament to Black economic empowerment, was tragically destroyed by a white mob in 1921. This event, along with the Rosewood massacre, serves as a stark reminder of the violence and injustice, Black people faced in their pursuit of prosperity.

The failure to rectify these wrongdoings, as reflected in the dismissal of a lawsuit by the last two survivors of the Tulsa massacre barely a week ago, reflects just how difficult the struggle has become. The lawsuit might have made amends for the violence, considered to have been the single worst incidence of violence against Black people in U.S. history.

Undeterred, Black people continued to carve their own path. The Negro leagues in baseball flourished, with iconic players like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson demonstrating Black excellence in a sport that initially considered them inferior. This is a story that keeps repeating itself, right up to the present day – consider Serena Williams in tennis. Yet, even in integration, Black representation remained disproportionately low.

Black people remained vigilante and steadfast in their allegiance to peaceful protest, through the murder of JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy. We believed as Martin said, “the wheels of justice turn slowly, but they bend towards justice.”

Whenever Black people show signs of progress, a retreat in investment or even hostility occurs. President Obama's two terms exemplified this. He faced constant challenges, even being denied the right to nominate Supreme Court Justices. This paved the way for a conservative court now poised to dismantle some of the hard-won gains Black people have achieved.

The murder of George Floyd in 2020 became a watershed moment. It presented an opportunity for a national reckoning on race, albeit temporarily.

Fear has been a constant companion for Black people in America. There is a persistent sense of historical and systemic injustices, coupled with the fear of retaliation for demanding accountability.

Black people have historically sought peaceful coexistence and embraced the ideals of the nation. This is evident in their participation in the Olympics, while representing a country that has simultaneously oppressed them.

For many white Americans, the equation seems to be one of power, wealth, and dominance. They have leveraged Black talent and innovation across industries – from slavery to sports and entertainment – to bolster their own success, and to build generational wealth, with minimal reinvestment in Black communities. This lack of investment hinders true Black advancement.

Affirmative action, often under attack, is backed by data from esteemed economic and management experts at McKinsey and Ernst & Young. These metrics demonstrate that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just moral imperatives, but also economic drivers leading to innovation, increased profit margins, and market penetration. Denying these opportunities hinders the entire nation's potential.

Indeed, closing gaps in four key areas - wages, education, housing, and investment – would have added $16 trillion to the U.S. economy from 2000 to 2024, according to one study undertaken by Citibank.

Moving forward requires self-reflection and action. Black leadership has a crucial role to play. Those with resources and intellectual capital must share their knowledge and empower others.

Self-serving leadership within Black communities cannot be tolerated. The sacrifices of heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hammer demand action. Elevating principled individuals to positions of power is essential.

Black political engagement requires a strategic shift. Many Black elected officials rely on funding from sources with agendas that may not align with the needs of their constituents. Black voters must find ways to hold elected officials accountable, demanding policies that truly benefit their communities.

Furthermore, Black consumer spending power stands at a staggering $1.8 trillion, while Black businesses represent only $300 billion. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more robust Black economic ecosystem. 

Self-governance and community responsibility are paramount. Apathy towards issues like littering and violence ultimately hurts Black communities. Black narratives must be reclaimed. When others control the narrative, marginalization persists. Black success stories must be celebrated, countering the pervasive image of degradation.

Black excellence is undeniable. However, focusing solely on "clickbait" and negativity tears down instead of building up. The journey towards true equality requires a united front, strategic action, and a commitment to uplifting the entire Black community. This is the path towards a brighter future, not just for Black Americans, but for the nation as a whole.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Public Square Amplified.