Moving Toward Healing from Decades of Systemic Racism

The untimely murder of Mr. George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hand of four Police officers, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have sparked protests and has reopened many old wounds that were caused by racial oppression. However, out of this bad situation, I can see the efforts of people trying to work together to have a better future for all people.

I have seen people from every race that is represented in Minnesota going out to protest against the killing of Mr. Floyd and the systemic racism that has negatively impacted people of color, especially Blacks.

Some of the unfair practices due to systemic racism include:

1. Noninclusive curricula in the school system which contribute to the gap in achievement for children of color
2. Underemployment of people of color
3. Overworking people of color more than other race of people who have similar jobs
4. Underpaying people of color
5. Incarcerating people of color at an higher rate and giving them stiffer sentencing when compared to the dominant group
6. The killing of unarmed black men 
7. Incarceration of children of color for misbehaving at school

The massive turnout of people that are protesting the senseless killing Of Mr. Floyd and the murder of other people of color is a move in the right direction. The unity of the people for justice for all is commendable. 

I have witnessed acts of kindness during this period of racial unrest. I have seen White people and Black people working together more than before. I have seen White people cooking and serving food during protesting. I have seen the coming together of many races working together for a better tomorrow.

Changes in policies in Minnesota include banning the use of chokeholds and require police officers to intervene against the use of unauthorized use of force and to report the officers who use unnecessary restraints. The University of Minnesota and the public school system have severed many decades of relationship with the police department. 

With all the recent changes we appear to be heading in the right direction with the hope of achieving  justice for all. I acknowledge that this is just the beginning of change and we have a very long way to go; however, I believe that the evidences of change that we have now indicate that working together can result in positive change. 

The Impact of Racism from an Immigrant Prospective

                                                                 

While growing up in Jamaica, I never heard anything negative about the United States (US).  All the stories that I heard about the US were positive ones. All the people I knew who came to this country to live would come back and tell us stories about their good life. They placed this country on a pedestal. I heard about the well-paved roads, the subway, the skyscrapers, the availability of jobs, affordable food and clothes, and the opportunity to attend college if you choose to attend one.

We could see the economic changes in the people who came to live in the US. People who could not afford to build a house and own a car could now have those necessities that were far-fetched before they came here. Not one time did I hear about racism in this country from the people who would come back to visit Jamaica. Based on what we were told about the US, many of us wanted the opportunity to come here.

Finally, my family and I had the opportunity to come to the US. My expectations were high coming here. I had a love for this country and the people long before I came here. My love for this country started from the positive stories that I heard about this great country. Therefore, can you imagine how devastated I was when my family and I experienced many actions of racism due to systemic racism in this country?

My family and I were racially profiled many times. I feared for my husband's life when police officers drew guns on him one night as he exited his car after reaching home from a 3-11 shift from his second job. I have been called the N-word in my own home by a white woman who claimed that she was seeking daycare for her child who called people this word. I have heard a teacher say that she could say that word in her class because of the course she teaches. I have been disrespected at work by patients and their families solely because of my skin color. I have been underpaid and overworked, although I was qualified for my job.

Over the years, I have bottled up all the feelings from living in a society that treats me and other people of color less than how they, the dominant group, treat themselves. In recent days of racial unrest, all the pent-up feelings came flooding to the surface. I feel traumatized by the systemic racism and the senseless killing of unarmed black men and women.

Has this country been good to my family and me? Absolutely. My family and I have thrived in this country. We can do things we would not be able to do in Jamaica. I will always love this country and its people; however, it is time for the leaders of this country to create policies that will serve all people. It is full-time to treat everyone with acceptance, compassion, and respect. The education, healthcare, and justice systems should benefit all people fairly. It is time for organizations to employ qualified people of color and pay them fairly. Our leaders must acknowledge that all people are humans and have similar fundamental needs.

I believe in this country and that the deep-rooted pain caused by systemic racism will be acknowledged, and policies will be created and implemented to serve all people. I believe people of color will be accepted and heard just like the dominant group. I think that this great country will do what is suitable for all citizens so that the future of everyone will be brighter and better.

May God bless the United States of America!