Still, after all these years, the question remains: why do they hate us? Why do these cowards brazenly commit violence, bigotry, homophobia, and racist behaviors?
The Buffalo grocery store massacre events brought tears to my eyes and weighed down on my heart. As a woman of color, who has been the recipient of racist behaviors too many times to count, I am all too aware of the impacts of racism.
Why does this happen, still after the so-called "racial reckoning" that followed the murder of George Floyd? Of course, we are still seeing hate crimes against minorities-and it needs to end. How many people have to die as a result of this?
There are many possible answers to this question. It could be argued that they hate us because we are different from them. We don't look like them, talk like them, and don't believe in the same things as them. And so, in their eyes, we are somehow less than human. We are not worthy of respect, decency, or fundamental human rights.
Another possibility is that they hate us because we challenge their power and authority. It is no secret that racism is still a genuine problem today. Though there has been progress made in recent years, it seems that we are faced with new instances of bigotry and hatred every day. But why does racism persist? I believe that one of the main reasons is fear. Those who have benefited from being in power are afraid of losing their position. They fear that the rules and systems that they have created will be changed and that they will no longer be able to reap the benefits of oppression. This fear drives people to commit acts of racism to maintain their power and privilege. Until we can address this fear, I believe that racism will continue to be a problem in our world.
Those of us who dare to stand up for the truth challenge their right to rule over us and dictate how we live our lives. However, we refuse to be silent in the face of oppression and injustice. And so, they hate us because we represent a threat to their power and privilege. Whatever the reasons, one thing is clear: hate is never justified. It is always wrong, no matter who is on the receiving end. And so, we must continue to stand up.
Why do people say racism isnt' real and accuse people of color using the race card?
There are several reasons why people may say that racism isn't authentic or accuse people of color of using the "race card." First, it's essential to understand that racism is a systemic problem that exists on both an individual and institutional level. Even if a person doesn't consciously believe that one race is superior to another, they may still be impacted by racist attitudes and beliefs. For example, a person may not think twice about denying a loan to a qualified black applicant simply because they've internalized the false idea that black people are more likely to default on loans.
Second, racism is often perpetuated by those who benefit from it. White people, for example, may not want to acknowledge the existence of racism because it gives them an unfair advantage in society. Finally, some people may be unaware of how racism manifests in our daily lives. They can remain blissfully ignorant of its effects by refusing to acknowledge the problem. Whatever the reason, denial is not a practical solution to the problem of racism. If we want to create a more just and equitable society, we need to start by acknowledging the existence of racism and working together to dismantle it.
Why do they justify using violence in the absence of threats to their safety?
Racism is a belief that one's own race is superior to another. Racists often justify the use of violence by citing the need to protect themselves from people of other races who they believe are a threat to their safety. However, this justification is usually based on false information and stereotypes. For example, many racists believe that all Black people are criminals. This belief is untrue, but it also leads to the conclusion that any Black person who is not engaged in criminal activity must be a potential threat. As a result, racists may feel justified in using violence against Black people even when there is no actual threat to their safety. In addition, racist beliefs can lead to a cycle of violence, as people of other races may respond to racist attacks with their violence. This cycle reinforces the idea that violence is necessary to protect oneself from people of different races, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ultimately, racism is based on a false belief system that leads to discrimination and violence.
Racism is a complex and multi-layered issue. It is often perpetuated by the belief that we are somehow different from one another, that our skin color or cultural heritage makes us inherently superior or inferior. As a physician, I have seen firsthand that we are more alike than different. Our physiology is the same. We respond to fear the same way. We respond to love and kindness the same way. We bleed red blood. The racism in our world today is a product of fear and ignorance, not of reality. Through education and understanding, I hope that we can begin to overcome the racism that divides us.
In this day and age, remaining silent on the issue of racism is almost just as bad as those who committed the crime. Racism, and bigotry, have no place in our society, and it is everyone's responsibility to tackle this problem. However, the more significant responsibility lies at the feet of those who are benefiting from a society that is systemically racist. This includes people who are quiet about racism because they think it doesn't concern them or that speaking up will make the problem disappear. The truth is, staying silent does nothing to solve the problem of racism. It allows racism to persist because there isn't any pushback against it. If we want to see a change in our society, those who benefit from racism must be willing to speak out against it. Only then can we hope to see real progress.
So, to answer the question, why do they hate us? It is because they recognize that the tide is rising. They realize that what they used to do in secret, under shrouds and capes, is now being exposed. We are onto them, and frankly, they have been on full display, especially over the past two years. Hate has no place when love, loyalty, and the pursuit of respect for all people are the law. The writing has been on the wall for some time now, and they just haven't wanted to face it. But, face it, they must. We are coming for them. There is no longer any place to hide. And we will not rest until every last one of them is brought to justice. Justice will be served.