Breaking the Shackles of Racism: Living as One in a Connected World
“Mother Earth is home to all; so why do we fight, struggle & even kill to find our place! Above that, some social evils & injustices are unforgiving, with ‘racism’ being one of the worst, defining our own insecurity & hatred towards a particular race simply based on colour!”
The history of man, struggling to find a rightful place and a place to call home goes back since the beginning of time itself. Creation of a society, a city or a free country has been an outcome of endless struggle and protests; some peaceful and some too brutal and bloody! It’s ironic that even in today’s highly civilised world where technology seems to have consumed humanity, there exists social evils and injustices targeted especially towards a particular race.
As we speak, the recent killing of George Floyd by the hands of four Minnesotan Police officers has led to a worldwide protest. Before plunging deep into the discussion, let us have a look into the history of racism in America and even before that, let us introduce ourselves and tell you why we care.
Who We Are & Why We Care
We are Digital Gravity; a leading Dubai-based web design company and empowered some of the world’s most prestigious brands to digital transformation.
At Digital Gravity, we are a group of industry professionals belonging to different societies, countries and races but none of that matters because in the end, we work as a team. We are a family and we strongly stand against racism.
We believe in a world where every man, woman, irrespective of caste and colour, has a right to live together and make this world a safe and peaceful haven.
Racism in America – A Historical Overview
Between 1525 and 1866, more than 12 million natives were kidnapped from Africa and brought to America under the transatlantic slave trade. Almost four-million survived this tormenting two-month journey only to end up as slaves in the United States which resulted in the subsequent spread of slavery as a rightful practice across the state and soon worldwide.
- A Systematic & Planned Inequality
In the U.S., racial, educational and economic injustices are deeply ingrained across several institutions. Although the Declaration of Independence clearly cites that ‘All Men Are Created Equal’; the fact has always been violated especially in the American society either based on insecurity or pure hatred towards a particular race. Take for instance the example of poll taxes that dissuaded African Americans to vote, another case if marginalisation of African American soldiers from World War I & II being treated like second-class and rejected citizens so on.
Among the many examples, one most heart-breaking is the planned racism and its horrible impact on black children. In 1970, an 8-year old black boy named Lebert F. Lester was building a sandcastle at the Connecticut bay, soon joined by a white girl but was dragged away by her father. She returned in a while only to say ‘why not wash it off in the water?���. Lester later realised that she meant his complexion.
Another example is of a 15-year old girl who arrived at an American school with high hopes of making new friends. She ended up with a likewise group of black students who were physically and verbally assaulted daily by white Americans. Adding to the many examples and disturbing history of slavery, injustice, exploitation and inequality in America, African-Americans have been the prime target of physical and verbal assaults based on racism.
Note: You can read more by visiting the following links:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/158-resources-understanding-systemic-racism-america-180975029/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/08/understanding-racism-inequality-america/?arc404=true
2020: The Racial-based Killing of George Floyd & Endless Protests in the U.S.
George Floyd; one of the many African-Americans whose recent death came at the hands of four white Minnesotan Police officers sparked outrage in the U.S, leading to more than a month’s protest and still ongoing. And though the history tells us clearly about the racial-based hatred of the white towards black, things are different this time as protests across all the 50 U.S states including D.C. are led by white. Business industries, local government, sports and many other departments have pledged their support while calling to dismantle the Minneapolis police department.
Black Lives Matter protest following the unjust killing of George Floyd has sparked a perfect rebellion, joined by Frank Leon Roberts; a teacher of Black Lives Matter at the New York University.
Gruesome and obvious; Floyd’s death video went viral that showed a white police officer, Derek Chauvin; kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes even after Floyd’s repeated plea; “I can’t breathe”. The incident happened when the world was already struggling against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment and economic unrest. Lives all over the world have changed including those of Americans who’ve been asked to stay at home, slowly accepting the fact that what once used to be normal is no longer acceptable!
For the U.S. in particular, the unemployment rate is more or less 15% means that above-average number of people can easily join the protest and campaign against Racial Discrimination and injustice without any work commitments.
Does it Even Matter
The history itself speaks of this racial-based discrimination and brutal killing of black by the hands of white. And even after passing several constitution bills and civil rights laws, the situation still remains unfavourable for the African-Americans who are now claiming that “We’re afraid, even though we’re American natives”. All we’ve got to see now is where this protest would lead to and should there be any justice as an exemplary punishment to the guilty police officers.
For more news and latest updates on the above; visit the following channels:
https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-memorial-service-protests/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52961599
