Part one: It takes all of us to make America great

The aftermath of the tragedy in Charlottesville a few weeks ago has many in the country horrified and numb. Charlottesville seems to legitimize for many of our white counterparts what people of color have been saying all along.

In 2017, we witnessed this in an American city that reminded us of the Civil Rights era. But for many of us, it was reminiscent of Ferguson and Baltimore to name a few. The distinct difference with Ferguson and Baltimore is the citizens clashed with the police.

Most people of color are taught at an early age to bite their tongues and not speak out about certain issues. We were told, let the Lord take care of ignorance. It was ingrained in us that we would be deemed as aggressive and intolerable. Racism exists and it is a daily reality for minorities in this country.

President Trump is sympathetic to Nazis and white supremacists. “Fine people on both sides”, he said. He has a problem with almost every minority group in this country, plus women. How can people of color expect justice and equality, when the most powerful man in the world has that state of mind?

I have assembled a diverse group of women for this four part series that will address race relations, politics, social media and celebrity. Hopefully, through this series we can continue to have conversations that will unite us. Minorities can’t unite the country alone, we need our white counterparts to seek and demand change.

In part one of the series, I spoke with women of color. In the next few days, I will have responses from more women. Today’s participants are Carmen Patton, N.Wims, Jamie Broadnax, Juanita Anderson, Tia Oso, Erica Ayala and Erika Fernandez.

1) As a woman of color, how has the political climate affected you?

Carmen Patton: Honestly, I can go from zero to 100 pretty quickly these days over the simplest events. I’ve never really been the person to “pull the race card”. However, now I’m just filled with so much angst. Some of my associations have dwindled because if I feel like you’re standing against what I believe rather than for what I believe, then you’re obviously against me. I go from sad to mad in the blink of an eye.

As a woman, you have a set of obstacles to overcome. As a person of color, you have a set of obstacles to overcome. Sometimes the magnitude of being a woman of color is a badge of honor. Other times it feels like a burden because of the obstacles. Women of color have to be strong. We have to be three times as good, know three times as much, and we’re still often overlooked or disregarded.

The political climate has made me more aware. I don’t know that I’ve quite made “WOKE” status, but I’m more aware of injustices, whether subtle or blatant.

N. Wims: As a woman of color, nothing much has changed. As long as the status quo is maintained, women of color will always be at the bottom of the totem pole.

If anything, things have gotten worse because those that have always been against us in private, have now been emboldened to act publicly on their discriminations. So, although we’ve always had to go above and beyond just to gain some semblance of success. Now we have to be concerned with the resurrection and heightened sense of racial bias against people of color. As a US Citizen, I am concerned about our future. The political and social progress that has been made is being undone at an alarming rate

Jamie Broadnax: This political climate feels no different; being a woman of color, I deal with racism and sexism all the time. I think because now we are seeing it in forms of executive leadership in this country that everyone is else is just now getting “woke” to these concerns.

Juanita Anderson: The current political climate has made me even more mindful and aware of being both black AND woman. Often times, we just kind of fall by the wayside from the front lines of these battles for equality. It shows especially when I have dialogues with black men about where black people stand in America; most of the time they’ll call for me to be black first and woman second. Essentially halving myself to take up their cause. It’s similar to when I see white women complain about inequality with men and they ask women of color to be woman first, race second. Or, even worse, they act like we don’t exist and that’s not conducive to real results for us either. They want us to help carry their burdens without considering that ours might be heavier.

Tia Oso: The current political climate has made me think very critically about the impact my activism has made, and how I can be most effective in this moment. For me, that has actually meant taking a step away from the front lines to focus on family and personal wellness. So many people in the work are not well, and this increased intensity and shifting conditions means that we need to shift our focus, strategies and priorities.

Erica Ayala: In some ways, it has frustrated me more. I don’t feel that my world changed for the worse after 45 was elected. I am not happy, but I am hopeful that things people of color have known and experienced for decades will finally come to light. I hope this country is forced to deal with our racist systems and mentality. If it takes the current administration to do that, so be it. I empathize with people who want to turn off the news, eat sheet cakes, or whatever to cope. I ask them to now think about having to do that for a lifetime. Because for almost all people of color, that’s the world in which we were raised. That is the America we know.

Erika Fernandez: It’s been a very tense atmosphere. It almost feels like you’re walking angry all the time because of the latest update that’s announced. It’s a very unfamiliar feeling and I also find myself unfriending a lot of people just because of their political stances. All in all, I’m very affected.

2) What are your thoughts on Trump’s comments in wake of what happened in Charlottesville and his stance regarding the confederate monuments and statues?

CP: He has created a platform for hate. There’s really not a milder way for me to say that. The leader of the country has made hate okay. At a time when he could have brought a semblance of unity, he with conviction and without apology chose to stand with and in defense of hate. However, it’s not surprising. He won an election based on hate. He appealed to those that felt America needed to be taken back or made great again. Taken back from who? Who exactly has America? When exactly did America lose its greatness…or did it ever really have any?

The leader of this country commented in line with the person that he’s presented himself to be since he thrust himself into politics. He fueled an ever-burning fire of discontent, malice and rage that’s growing and spreading like wildfires do.

NW: It’s no surprise, Trump is gonna Trump regardless of the situation. He says what he really wants to say because in all actuality, he doesn’t care. He only cares about the people in his circle, people of wealth. He incites the hatred and sits back to watch the drama unfold and then washes his hands of any involvement in the chaotic aftermath.

Unfortunately for us, to him this is all a game. His goal is to get richer. All of the other matters are miscellaneous to him, because they do not directly affect his world. When it comes to being a leader, he is oblivious, inept, and ill equipped to handle any serious issue.

JB: His comments didn’t surprise me. This man has been very clear on his issues about the Black community since the Central Park 5 and has hired white nationalists in cabinet positions. What shocks me is the fact everyone else was surprised by his comments.

JA: Trump is who I’ve always known he was. I’m neither shocked or disappointed. He’s been this man. Men like him don’t change for the better with power, it just magnifies who they are. And in this case, him being a white supremacist is being magnified. He doesn’t even try to correct himself.

TO: I am not surprised by the president’s comments. I am more confused about why people were looking to him to be a source of guidance in this moment. His base of support has so much in common with those who were involved with the protests.

EA: I cannot speak directly to what the President said. I only know what people have said he said (or didn’t). Again, I don’t trust this Administration especially, to say anything that will get us close to the America I hope to one day live in.

I will say this about the monuments: Although, I originally was uncomfortable with what I deemed historical erasure, I’ve come across evidence that the Civil War monuments were erected almost exclusively during the Jim Crow era. Meaning, those statues — like the Confederate flag — are propaganda. I do not believe we as a country should continue any practices aimed at omitting or re-writing history. In the case of the Confederate monuments, I do not think that’s applied. Additionally, the Confederacy was a rebel flag and militia. I often question how one can be a proud American and waive a rebel flag.

EF: I think his thoughts continue to be idiotic and it shocks me that this man is still the commander in chief of quite possibly the most powerful nation on earth. I think they’re very insensitive and even when he tries to be on the right side, he still comes across as very one sided. It’s just clear that he doesn’t get it at all.

3) What role do you think social media has played in exposing division in the US?

CP: Social media has given people a platform to truly be themselves. People can spread hate and malice from the comfort of their homes without the danger of being challenged verbally or physically face to face. “Keyboard bullies” have parlayed their way into being able to talk in a way that many of them wouldn’t ordinarily do face to face. Likes and retweets give them courage. It’s not that people haven’t had these thoughts. Hate isn’t anything new in America. It’s just that now people can spread hate behind the veil of a monitor with the help of a keyboard without consequence.

NW: It gives people a platform that they didn’t have before, to say what they really feel. It’s easier to say how you really feel when you aren’t face to face with someone. Social media has exposed those individuals who “play nice” in public but have kitchen table conversations that are biased and/or racist. At the same time, social media has helped in a way that we are no longer able to stick our heads in the sand and claim that we don’t know that racism exists, just because it hasn’t happened to us or directly affects us personally.

JB: Social media has played a HUGE role. Many marginalized voices are being heard and amplified through the use of social media.

JA: Social media has become a huge catalyst for change. It’s allowed people with similar interests and ideals to grow them together. That being said, the first step to fixing a problem is admitting there is one and identifying what and where it is. Collectively, we’re still at what and where. And in that regard, social media becomes a hindrance. It’s done well to show the vast difference in group thought and perception; but it hurts in that these online communities will always encourage whatever the popular view is. You can tailor everything you see and hear to what you desire which is dangerous in terms of the information you take in.

TO: I think social media has amplified and intensified the views that are expressed, especially more extreme views, that would not necessarily be socially acceptable in person.

EA: I honestly think social media has muddied the waters. There is no investigation of fact on social media. People can claim words, images and more as their own without citation. Additionally, it would appear there is a generation that believes a retweet will save the world.

With that said, social media is a great way to bring attention to important events, conversations, etc. Social media has also been a space to mobilize beyond one’s physical community.

EF: I think social media has unified us because we all have one goal-unity and equality. The fact that so many videos show police brutality is enough to show that the world that only one crowd gets attacked. It’s honestly disgusting.

4) Do you think America has taken a step back in racial unity or are wolves simply removing their sheep’s clothing?

CP: America is what America has always been. The wolves are taking off their sheep’s clothing. People have hidden it well for years, but the United States of America is just as divided as ever before.

NW: In order for us to say that we have taken a step backwards, we would have to have had evidence of racial unity in the first place. Just because we have had a black President, does not prove racial unity. The fact that we still need laws in place so that black people can have the same opportunities as white people, is evidence that we have not achieved racial unity in this country. Yes, the wolves have taken off their hoods. They feel threatened and empowered at the same time which has brought out a sense of urgency.

JB: Wolves are simply removing sheep’s clothing here…again as a Black woman none of this surprises me.

JA: Wolves are just removing their sheep’s clothing. America’s always been this hotbed for racism. It’s in the very DNA of our nation. So much of what Black America has become happened in spite of everything put in place for us to fail. From housing to banking to jobs, to the justice system or to general exploitation. We’re still trying to heal while trying to catch up, and trying to maintain; it’s hell on us, psychologically. It would be bad enough if we were just left alone after slavery. But we weren’t. And then there’s the lack of overall critical thought when it comes to our situation. The fact that people think our founding fathers couldn’t be racist or that they’re morally superior to confederate generals says much. It’s one thing for our history classes to fail us, but logic and critical thinking have also failed us.

TO: I think political correctness made people pretend that progress on race is further along than it is. Statistics on systemic issues show that progress has not advanced as far as people assume.

EA: I don’t think either is accurate. America has not moved in thought from its racist, sexist mentality. The laws may have changed, but the sentiment of the country has not. There are gaps in the collective mind of the country from the Civil War to Jim Crow. From Jim Crow to the Civil Rights Act. From the Civil Right Act to President Obama. From President Obama to the current Administration.

America has not moved much, rather changed her clothes from generation to generation. Racism is perpetuated by the law under all Administrations. President Obama could have eliminated the sentencing difference of crack and powder cocaine from 100–1 to 1–1. Instead, he changed it to 10–1. The difference between the drugs is heat, baking soda, and water. The users of each drug vary in race and wealth.

EF: I think it's a bit of both; we have taken a step back as a country but we also have exposed so many people and can now say we know their true colors. When minorities go out and march, we’re labeled as a protest. But when white people go out and do it, it’s called a rally. Even the labels we’re given are different. It just shows us that we were never equal.

5) How do you feel about celebrities (athletes, actors, etc) speaking out about race relations and politics?

CP: I love it when celebrities speak out about race relations and politics. Why shouldn’t they? Why should they be censored? My profession has no bearing on what I can or can’t say. So, why should theirs?

They shouldn’t have to “stick to what they know” or “just play ball” or “just act”. They have the same civil liberties as the rest of us. More importantly, they have a platform, and it isn’t wrong or out of order for them to use it.

NW: I don’t think that we have enough celebrities who are political activists. Instead, we have people who react to specific incidents, who only say something when it is a good look for their image. It is very disappointing that black celebrities or any black person with a platform don’t say anything about racism, until they feel backed into a corner and are being called on it.

More importantly, white celebrities are who we really need to speak up, but aren’t saying anything. When Beyonce performed on the CMA awards, there was so much backlash and hate spewed on the CMA website that they had to remove anything related to the performance, from the site. That was a pivotal moment that could have been used to stand up against hate. Instead it was swept under the rug. Not one country artist spoke up against it.

When atrocities like what happened at the Pulse night club, everyone rallied around to help. When the LGBT community had an issue in North Carolina, whole corporations stood up for them against an entire state’s economy. Something happens to black people and no one stands up for us, no one. We need the right people in the right positions to lock arms with us and say “We are in this together and together we will stand against hatred and evil.”

JB: I love what [Colin] Kaepernick has done and is doing. Some other celebs are oblivious which is unfortunate.

JA: I applaud the celebrities who are actively using their platforms for protest and progress. I really appreciate them because they really could’ve just left these communities in ruin and turned their nose up and a blind eye to everything. But instead, they chose to donate their time and money and influence in an effort to leave this world better than they found it. So I can’t do anything but tip my hat. Athletes are risking employment to do it and that speaks highly to their character.

TO: I think that people with platforms and social influence need to use it for the cause of justice. They have a responsibility not to ignore what’s happening in the lives of their fans and supporters.

EA: I have mixed feelings. I appreciate them offering their platform to issues — that is important. However, I wish media coverage included the lineage of a movement. Interview Bre Stewart and the water protectors, Colin Kaepernick and the Black Lives Matter founders.

EF: I’m actually obsessed with the fact that celebrities and athletes show their solidarity and fight for the same cause. It makes me super happy to see that, “Hey, they get the issues.” They have a major platform for it so why not use it for the greater good to help spread more knowledge?