Dear editor,
When will black lives matter here?
I smell a strong hint of All Lives Matter underneath the fraudulent claims of BLM. I write this knowing that some people may act with an extreme form of micro aggressive behavior toward black citizens within our community.
When we authentically address something that is happening now, specifically to the black community, once again retaliation is real and the quiet mob mentality forms to silence the voices instead of embracing them.
BLM is a “slogan” and is meaningless on its face and I will tell you why. You know very well what you have been engaging in for all of your history. The “soft segregationist” approach of “we didn’t hurt nobody” and “we definitely didn’t have slaves” and no mention of the segregation. In none of these cases have you acted in defense of your fellow citizens or decided of your own free will to “be better” either.
Schools always prepared to do the right thing by the white community at the expanse of the black community.
We will know the black community matters when you address the social and economic segregation, it’s not a snappy saying or phrase or cute and fuzzy but it’s the solution, it’s moral, it’s the human thing, it’s the neighborly thing, it’s the intelligent thing, it’s the democratic thing and also “now is the right time to do the right thing.”
How this community moves forward will be the most paramount issue. Will we respond with a lucid and conscious approach or will we like time before engage in delay and defer the urgency of the moment. Will we pretend to live in a bubble as if we are isolated or “better than” the other communities is a sign of disconnection.
The phenomenon of segregation has infected us all; this does include ethnic relationships with the black community and beyond.
The phenomenon of disinterest, misinformation and disinformation is appalling to say the least.
The phenomenon of segregation is beyond a political party or a political leaning. Oh, we will know when we matter and when the community comes to the conclusion that a radical shift in thought and actions is absolutely necessary without the historical structural struggle from citizens and protectionist of the old way of doing things.
We know black lives matter is the flavor of the month, it’s the white thing to say and it’s a favorite slogan for now.
Yet this is based on what has happened somewhere else, this is absolutely not in connection to the behavior within this community, within this county or within the state.
This doesn’t change the extreme discomfort and fear when attempting to approach this subject.
Yet we live among you and take in the social and economic amenities afforded white people. Frustrating how it seem my fellow citizens believe that this formation of whiteness is based on being exceptional and not partaking in a particularly horrible and systemic behavior.
Yep, segregation!
We will know our community matters when black is within your strategic plans. We will know when leadership has the courage to speak the words out loud for all community to hear.
We must press the education system to do more than suggest they recognize the systemic injustice but work with our community to strategize for the better outcome to take place.
The education plus character philosophy come to surface and that cannot be done as it’s designed today.
We must recognize that there is something terribly wrong and dismissive about white citizens on average being educated about black history on TikTok, Twitter, IG and Facebook.
Any educator should want to know how to break up this cycle of segregationist and white protectionist ideals.
How can you say we matter? There are no statistics or organized effort to support this statement.
How can you say we matter? If you are unwilling to address the issue concerning the black community.
What constructive activities are you engaging in besides telling our community to wait and vote whilst another generation of black youth falls through the cracks The PTSD heaped upon the shoulders of black segregated communities is extreme. We are living in war zones in a nation that’s spends billions and trillions on war.
Yet we must achieve an acknowledgement from communities that they inherited institutions of segregation and go forth working with urgency and unity to dismantle them.
This isn’t easy because I know in truth the reality is this community as a whole have been conditioned not to care.
Black people and many other communities have also been conditioned to engage in this behavior and it’s hurtful and painful to know this is the truth that coincides with history and statistics.
We follow laws that blatantly oppress people and uphold the laws of inequality based on the suggestion that the law is always to be followed.
We as a community must be governed not by the words and laws of our forefathers but utilize our power to also set things straight that is knowingly evil in practice and in principle.
“Separate but unequal.”
Chris Norfleet of Wausau, president of People for the Power of Love
Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.
