Is racial inequality in America a problem, an opportunity, or a political con? The rallies and protests taking place across the nation are not about a shooting in Sanford, Florida. They are about opening old wounds to wrench as much mileage as possible from an incident politicized by activists, politicians, and other opportunity seekers.
At least call it vengeance, not justice.
The last time we heard calls to boycott a state it was over Arizona’s SB 1070. Now we have public figures hopping back on the boycott wagon seeking to punish Florida residents, grandstanding and disguising their demands for vengeance as calls for justice. Is this part and parcel of a con job over racial inequality?
How much of America’s racial inequality is a political con?
Resorting to inflammatory rhetoric to elicit knee-jerk anger cues us in as to where the Trayvon Martin uproar is headed. Relying on broad generalizations, public officials are blaming the nation after a single jury verdict:
We must carry this peaceful momentum forward as we fight against inequality and unjust laws across the country.¹
Do these same politicians have the courage to admit the truth?
The politically incorrect truth about race equality.
Race inequality is one thing. Accepting responsibility is another. Instead of making hazy accusations about the state of race relations and injustice in America, it would be more accurate to take the politically incorrect stance and look at the one area where we have race equality: intraracial homicides.
Justice Department figures released in November 2011 showed that most murders are intraracial. Ironically, given the national discussion, 16% of whites are murdered by a member of another race compared to only 7% of black homicide victims. White on black homicides were the least common of all.²
The truth can be inconvenient, but what if we lived in a country with perfect racial equality?
Equality would end bullying based on race and ruin political careers.
How much would be lost to politicians who make careers out of benefiting from racial inequality if we erased the perception of injustice they have so carefully constructed? The last thing activists want is to be given what they ask for as they protest race relations and demand justice.
Politicians who take advantage of every slight and perceived miscarriage of justice to engage in bullying based on race won’t admit that the fight for equality in the African American community has relied on maintaining inequality through all manner of government assistance and support. Refusing to place responsibility on those they claim to represent, irresponsible politicians step in and create the expectation of entitlement and handouts, inflame racial tensions, and make charges that have little to do with reality. It is far easier to blame your country and your race than to take responsibility for your community. As the weekend draws to a close, the murder totals in cities like Chicago would be a good place to start accepting that responsibility.