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Marketers have already accepted this. Take note of today’s
television commercials to see the increase in interracial
couples and diverse cultural experiences used in
advertising. Marketing is pointing the way forward to how
American identity is defined.
Why it Matters:
Politicians have
capitalized on polarization because a majority of white
voters see this “browning” of America and its coalition of
Democratic Party-leaning LGBTQ, progressive Whites, Asian,
Hispanic, Islamic, and Jewish voters as a threat to
political control.
In contrast to racial
minorities, White Americans (although not a monolith), have
preferred Republican candidates in every presidential
election after 1964. Fifty-nine percent of Republicans and
46 percent of Whites worry that a majority-minority nation
will “weaken” American culture, says a recent Pew Research
Center survey. Although Pew doesn’t define “weaken,” I
understand the term to reflect white racial angst resulting
from African-American gains in social, economic, and
legislative power or influence.
This angst manifests
itself in Republican Party stances on immigration,
diversity, and religious policies and in voter suppression
tactics such as photo ID, voter purge, and closing of
polling places.
Racism Highlights the
Struggle for Power:
Racism has been dubbed by
Jack Schafer, Ph.D., as a “Power Struggle by a Different
Name.” When nonwhite groups form alliances with other
minority groups to become “final decision-makers,”
opposition groups will strenuously attempt to overthrow
them, he says. We saw this response played out in real-time
in the MAGA melee at the Capitol.
The Future:
Contrary to the
conservative self-interest cries for healing or to “just
move on” following the violence on the U.S. Capitol, it is
impossible to heal. The trauma that causes our injuries
remains while we are still being assaulted, effectively
placing fresh wounds on the still open wounds.
The racism that
hyper-scrutinizes peaceful Black Lives Matter protests while
looking the other way as violent MAGA protestors slip in to
attempt to hijack our democracy will not allow us to heal.
Neither will the racism
that constantly assaults black civil rights, producing
gashes over slashes while merely pacifying White
Nationalists in return for violent offenses.
The phrase “No justice, No
peace!” is more than a slogan. It is a law of nature.
We cannot move forward in
peace until our nation can develop an inclusive identity and
ensure equal rights for all people.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org |
