United States – Civil Rights, Equality and Social Justice

Padmini Arhant

The nation commemorates the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his sacrifice to promote civil rights, equality and social justice.

Humanity represented in myriad characteristics is complex and more so when those reining control over destiny of seven billion population or so resist genuine evolution that is conducive, fair and respectful towards all without any malice, deception and disingenuous disposition. Since mankind existence, the quest for dominance due to presumptuous superior status has enabled inequality, prejudice and injustice until now. The hierarchy with classism, casteism, misogyny and socio economic gap are the norm polarizing the society and human species into various categories in the name of civilization. The intolerance to sincerity and facts on events reflect the contempt for truth and objectivity. The world is conditioned to believe and accept subversion and distortion in the blatant denial and insult to human intelligence in order to maintain status quo on superiority embedded in duplicity and hypocrisy. 

The forces and representatives echoing sentiments by replaying the sound bites on remarks albeit controversial while choosing to remain oblivious and even defending actions involving loss of innocent lives with no regrets or apology from those in position of authority is incomprehensible. The bizarre aspect is the Presidential predecessors legacy and character defined as normal and going further in exalting those whom they unconditionally favor to super human phenomena despite conspicuous flaws and gross abuse of power.

The discrimination against African Americans in society prompting civil rights movement is part of American history. Accordingly, the experience from that era invoked in public speeches by those honored in the entertainment industry arouse guilt and empathy. The memory on pre civil rights conditions is stagnant when discrimination and violations are prevalent amongst own race in the post civil rights period.

Miriam Carey – the unarmed African American mother gunned down with 26 bullets at the White House door step in 2o14 by the security personnel of the much celebrated African American Presidency in office and presence at the time of incident with no comments not even on humanitarian basis in addition to refusing the victim’s infant daughter from attending her slain mother’s funeral could have triggered an uproar under any other Presidency. Similarly the Agriculture Department Official Shirley Sherrod, the African American woman staff was fired in 2010 based on rumor prioritizing the Presidency and administration survival over ethical efficacy. The victims’ account and names apparently did not merit mentioning in the acclaimed oratory clarifying the importance of power and prominence subjugating ordinary lives and their rights in the present time.

What it means is discrimination has transformed into racism and classism with power, fame and fortune presiding over selective condemnations and bias in the acknowledgment of injustice. The discrimination of any kind from anywhere is deplorable. Nevertheless, the mistreatment within same race and community is worse allowing the trend to become pervasive across the spectrum.

The civil rights legislation necessitated changes creating opportunity for African Americans in education, economic and political fields. Unfortunately, the generational impact expected in such historic achievement is yet to happen with significant population of African American descent struggling to make ends meet and lagging behind in social and economic progress especially in inner cities of America confronted with crime and  negative environment. One of the reasons being the influential and wealthy African Americans in the United States in politics, entertainment, media and economy having benefited from affirmative action and other civil rights requirements have not done enough and could do lot more in alleviating African American plight. Their lack of investment in time and resources to uplift fellow African American citizens from poverty improving living standards and addressing social problems like children raised without adequate family support and domestic violence exacerbate socio economic disparity.

The African Americans with enormous political clout and star power preoccupation in personal economic gains and aspirations neglecting responsibility to share prosperity and better future with less fortunate in the African American community contributes to overall apathy in society. The argument claiming the endeavor as a collective task rather than communal oriented slight the needs of the people within the race amid drawing attention to racial discord. When the house is on fire, the nearest fire brigade could save lives instantly compared to the rescue team farther away. There is no doubt that government and society sensitivity to issues concerning not only African Americans but the rest of the population is imperative to sustain economic development. At the same time, the affluent members representing minority or ethnic groups in a society could participate and provide the means to success without any reservations about the commitment being entirely a national or government duty.

The internal growth from within would set an example for others to do more in overcoming marginalization of minorities and contemporary gentrification cited in South Side of Chicago, the territory in the democratic power deserving debate and appropriate measure. The either political parties governing cities, states and nation probing these activities are critical and would demonstrate the political will to represent all as Americans.

The best tribute to those martyred is for community and society to exemplify the principles in deeds.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com