Black Lives Matters Replies

Reply to student 1

Agreeably, reading through the list, it was evident that all list pointed toward the same goal and carried a singular message, that there is an irrefutable need for the government to take actionable steps toward empowering the black people and people of color in America overall. As you put it, the BLM, recent as it was not a new and foreign plea but an outcry for justice and power for black communities living in America.

I agree that while people are sensitized about the topics of racism, unconscious racism continues to exist in society. What’s worse is that most people are focused on eliminating racism while sensitizing masses through education while no actionable steps are actually taken to address the real-life manifestations of racism in society. Policies are a great way to start the war on racism by taking actionable steps towards combating both conscious and unconscious racism.

Reply to student 2

Agreeably, owing to the rampant economic injustice in the U.S, the “American dream” has been difficult to achieve and enjoy within black communities and communities comprising of people of color in America overall. As you put it, the government has played a significant role in supporting the current economic injustice by doing nothing to ensure that all American people enjoy economic justice, equal opportunities and equal empowerment.

While I feel that in the current century more people have been sensitized towards the subject of racism and its impact, no actionable steps have been taken to condemn, fight and try to eliminate racism in totality. Instead, while masses are continually educated on the adverse impacts of racism, as long as the governments do not take any steps to eradicate racism, society may never really understand and realize how to promote equality of all things across all races of America.

Black Lives Matter

I think the list demanding political power to Blacks is most effective because politics and power are what shape both social and economic structures within a society. By way of definition, politics is who gets what, when, and how and power is the ability of one party to influence the actions of another (Political Science, 2018). Therefore, more Blacks must wield power in high political positions to push for pro-Black agendas and have a seat at the decision-making table from positions of advantage rather than continue being the victims of circumstances. Politics affects all spheres of life and by gaining political power, Blacks stand a better chance at eliminating racial discrimination. The lists prove that whereas there is more acceptability and support for Black movements in America today through solidarity for example in protests, the underlying injustices against Blacks still retain a strong grip on America’s racial progress for example, in economic disparity and prejudice against Black people from the police and the brutal force used against them.

I think systemic racism that has been evaded in America and infiltrated all spheres of life of Americans is the main reason why the country suffers from racial discrimination. Take, for example, there are still widespread tendencies of white supremacy where in Southern America, several confederate monuments are still erect and symbolize white supremacy vividly seen through the period of Jim Crow laws, post-Civil War and whose purpose served to intimidate the Blacks. America also struggles with institutional racism through the law enforcement agency, the police. Brute force has been observed during arrests of Black Americans in comparison to the White Americans and many cases even resulting in the death of the suspects like George Floyd (Allen, 2020). First, police reforms should be made to eradicate the brutality and violence witnessed against Black Americans. Additionally, all Americans should be empowered through educating them about the inalienability of human rights regardless of race, social status, or even religion to allow for constructive and harmonious living amongst all races considering America is a melting pot.