#BTColumn – Diversity can help the fight

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. 

by Claire Mom

While countries engage in political and economic tussles, America continues to prove there are more important things to wager dominance over – things like the superior colour of skin. And year after year, results remain the same – it’s not called white supremacy for nothing.

History will prove this. The near history.

Shortly after Black History Month in 2020, the American police represented by Derek Chauvin celebrated the historical event by murdering a 46yr old Black defenseless security guard, George Floyd. His death triggered a series of global protests and intensified the movement of the already existing hashtag; #BlackLivesMatter.

In 2021, there was a little difference. Seeing the outrage Floyd’s death had caused, the police decided to bid a significant amount of time after Black History Month to avoid striking while hot. How thoughtful. Later that year, 5 police officers would violently assault two Black men while arresting them.

‘’Despite being handcuffed and on the ground, Dalonta Crudup was kicked several times by two different officers, as seen on video. Five @MiamiBeachPD officers have been charged w/battery for rough arrests of Crudup and Khalid Vaughn last week at the Royal Palm Hotel. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/ABMC6kIiXW

— Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) August 2, 2021

It’s 2022 and it’s still the year of white supremacy. As a matter of fact, white supremacy just got more supreme. Let me explain. Marking Black History Month this year, the American police go against their usual fashion of harassing Black people after the celebration and do it in the month instead. What better way to prove dominance, right?

In a viral video, two teens (black and white) engaging in a scuffle sees the white one having an upper hand however police response shows the male officer tackling the Black teen to the floor, sitting on him and handcuffing him, while the female officer quickly kneels on his back to keep him down on the ground. The same way George Floyd was killed.

So, is the fight to end racism in America all just on paper?

When you look at the police statistics in America, one thing stands out; the ratio of Black officers to White officers. 67 per cent of Police officers are White (Non-Hispanic), making that the most common race or ethnicity in the occupation. Representing 12.4 per cent of Police officers, Black (Non-Hispanic) is the second most common race or ethnicity in this occupation.

With very little Black representation, the police force is significantly less diverse which directly translates to tension between the communities and the police. This is ironic given that diversity and inclusion have been the new order in America.

How would Black people believe America is on their side when they don’t see proof in the justice system?

Marketing the police, which is a solution, is going to be difficult in the minority community because of lack of trust. The motive of recruiting just for numbers or to impact real change is going to be questioned.

The police recruitment system has to be closely monitored with laws set in place to ensure equal opportunities for all races. When diversity is properly set in motion, only then can America be the land of the free. Right now, it is the land of the enslaved.

Claire Mom is a Nigerian journalist passionate about global reformation of social norms and practices. She is most notable for her distinct and unconventional opinions that cut across health, religion, culture and social development. Email: clairemom26@gmail.com Twitter: @speakclairely_