TGR: Structural Racism: The Shomrim’s Post on Facebook
By Doni M. Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE – August 3, 2012) – A long-time colleague asked me if I had seen the Patch’s post about the Shomrim’s latest: they had a post or two featuring black folks. When asked for feedback, I was initially at a loss for words – kind of like when I heard Bob Costas yesterday comment on Gabrielle Douglas’ gold medal victory. I was like a deer in headlights, to say the least (More on that in another column).
Anyway. Here’s my thought: It’s disappointing. Just a few weeks ago, there was a lot of community support for the Werdesheim brothers – members of the Shomrim group in Park Heights. This included a mountain of support letters that were displayed before a judge, jurors, and others in the courtroom. And now we see this. Sadly, I have always viewed this as a hate crime. And sadly, if the roles of race were reversed, the black man would be in jail. This is a prime example of how insidious structural racism in America really is. As I always note, 39% of America’s prison population is black men. This is disproportionate to an overall black US population of 13.6%. If Jewish men were getting arrested at that rate, best believe the Jewish community would be in an uproar. And that is exactly why there should be mass disdain for such egregious actions of late by the Shomrim group.
For me, what’s most unfathomable is that this is 2012 and yet this entire incident involving the Jewish neighborhood watch group is so hypocritical. Clearly, the overall Jewish community understands oppression. So my question is, … ‘then how can you do the same to someone else and expect empathy when it is done to you?’
Personally, I feel bad for the world when I see such actions. It goes to show, for instance, that no matter how religious mankind pretends to be – all you really have to do is watch his actions. They speak volumes.
I can profess to love Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi and abolitionist extraordinaire John Brown and Nelson Mandela, however, if my actions are not in alliance with the precepts of my faith – I am a fraud.
When asked about this latest incident involving some online social media posts, I was working on a series BMORENEWS is presenting in conjunction with the Associated Black Charities of Maryland. The series is on structural racism and how entrenched racism is in our local society – let alone worldwide.
Further, I am not coming as a victim, but as a victor. So, do know I am not looking for any handouts or the like. What is most glaringly clear is that America has yet to deal with its dirty little secret. Looking at the Olympics, for me, presents a ‘golden’ opportunity to see how deep racism goes. It’s not always what’s said. Sometimes, it’s what’s not said. Sometimes, it is the look on faces with traces of contempt … or disgust. It is the body language. The framing. One could look at it from 360 degrees and see that even though this is the 21st century – W.E.B. DuBois’ words from over 100 years ago ring true still: “The problem of the 20th century will be the color line.”
Mr. DuBois, I am sad to report that the chicanery continues.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.