Systemic Racism: A Deadly Pandemic

The United States of America has dealt with a history of pandemics that have taken the lives of millions of innocent people, most of which were mitigated within a few years. Yet, there is one pandemic that still has no cure: systemic racism.

African Americans in America have faced systemic racism for decades. Since the Civil War, government agencies started redlining areas like neighborhoods in cities for investment value. This led banks and insurance companies to deny African Americans in poorer areas opportunities and services based on race. Thus, obstructing all opportunities for high quality education, residential spaces, and overall lifestyle.

While many forms of redlining have been abolished over the years, it has created a lasting impact, affecting future generations. It has created implicit bias, which is essentially unconscious stereotyping: perceiving people based on race, gender, culture, etc. Examples of implicit bias are statements such as “all Asians are good at math” or “all women are emotional.” Many people tend to base their beliefs, morals, and values on implicit bias. Due to redlining in the past, many people now perceive ALL African Americans a certain way, which is why African Americans tend to face such a great amount of inequality. A major consequence of the implicit bias they face is police brutality. According to Brentin Mock in “What New Research Says About Race and Police Shootings, “in the U.S., African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white people.” This has become blatantly evident, especially, over the past few years.

Eric Garner was put in a chokehold for breaking up a fight. He cried, “I can’t breathe” eleven times. At the age of just 43, a man trying to make peace on a Staten Island Sidewalk was dead.

Tamir Rice was shot while playing in his neighborhood park. At the tender age of 12, Tamir was dead.

Dominique Clayton was sleeping in her apartment when she was shot in the back of the head. The mother of four was dead at age 32.

Breonna Taylor was shot eight times in an alleged “drug case.” However, the actual suspect under investigation lived in an entirely different area. At the young age of 26, Breonna Taylor was dead.

George Floyd was arrested for using an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill. A knee was placed on his neck for eight minutes. He cried for his mother and yelled “I can’t breathe” 16 times in less than 5 minutes. At the age of 46, George Floyd was dead, leaving his five children fatherless.

These are just 5 examples of innocent people who have lost their life to police brutality for no reason other than the color of their skin. America is currently in the midst of two pandemics. Along with the Coronavirus, systemic racism is fatal to many.

Even one life taken is too many. It may take years, decades, or even centuries to get rid of systemic racism, but it is something America should and must work towards to make the future better. Please do what you can in this moment of history to show your support to the African American community.

Black Lives Matter.

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