Declaring Race in The United States

"If our society really wanted to solve the problem, we could; it's just that it would require everybody saying, 'this is important; this is significant.' And, that we don't just pay attention to these communities when a CVS burns, and we don't just pay attention when a young man gets shot or has his spine snapped, but we're paying attention all the time because we consider those kids our kids." —President Obama on the situation in Baltimore



In class this week, we read the book One Crazy Summer. It's a book revolving around the the race riots (protests) in the 1960s.While the race protests are not the only topic within the novel, it is big. The children in the book are presented with the ideology of the Black Panthers. They attend a summer school program in the People's Center, and they learn what it means to be black and not colored. They learn what it means to stand for the People's rights, and demand respect. 


President Obama is right. If we wanted to solve the problem, we could. Our society comments on how rights are important, rights are demanded, but what rights are we fighting for? Justice? Equality? Marriage? Voting? 

How far have we progressed from the 60s if protesters are throwing bricks at policemen? How far have we progressed if policemen are throwing them back? 

You don't have to agree with every step our President has taken in his terms in office. You don't have to believe every thing he has done has been the "right" thing to do. But, you have to agree. This is a conversation we need to have. This is a conversation we need to move off of the back burner and discuss, like civilized people. 


In One Crazy Summer, we read that protesters have to present their demands. An 11 year old can calmly take a step back at comment on the insanity and violence surrounding the race riots even when they were at their height. If an 11 year old can lay out the problems with violent protests, why can't we, adults, do the same? 


I try not to get political on this blog very often, but I'm baffled, in awe, and downright frustrated with seeing race riots in the news. Stop throwing bricks and have a conversation. Let's get talking.