By Lilly Pidgeon | Themerrythought.net
As a Jewish mother, navigating the upbringing of my children within a predominantly non-Jewish society has presented its complexities. The historical context of persecution against our people is well recognized, and discussions about the Holocaust and various injustices are commonplace in our home. I have raised my children, now young adults, to be active participants in advocating for change, instilling in them the understanding that being a bystander equates to complicity. The Hebrew phrase Tikkun Olam, meaning “repair the world,” encapsulates our commitment to social action and justice. My family is devastated and outraged by the murder of George Floyd, alongside the longstanding racial disparities and injustices that have persisted in our nation.
We express our solidarity with the Black community as they once again endure suffering at the hands of a discriminatory and corrupt system. A criminal act remains a criminal act, and those in positions of authority must be held to an even higher standard of accountability, given the trust placed in them.
As a board member of the ADL, an organization dedicated to combating hate since 1913, I have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful solutions, which has always been a passion of mine.
Our nation is in mourning. George Floyd—a father, brother, and friend to many—has been taken from us through a horrific act of violence that was recorded for all to see. When I first viewed the footage, I found it hard to comprehend what I was witnessing; it was an unimaginable level of evil that was difficult to process.
We must remain alert to expose the prevalence of hate and prejudice both in our country and globally. Each of us can take action, whatever that looks like: stay informed, educate yourself, contribute financially where possible, mentor youth, support petitions, actively speak out, and participate in elections.
As a journalist and chiefly as a mother, I see it as my duty to amplify messages of hope and unity. This critical moment in history demands our engagement in redefining America and advocating for not just the reality of today, but the ideals of tomorrow. The journey will be challenging, and I recognize that my voice is just one among many, but I am fully committed.
As Elie Wiesel once stated, whom I had the honor to host for a speaking event in Dallas during the late 1980s, “One person of integrity can make a difference.”
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When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy… Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe.
Understanding Systemic Racism: An Excerpt from ADL
Racism is defined as “the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white individuals.” It manifests in various facets of our lives and society, influencing personal interactions, enforcing discriminatory policies, shaping biased language, and permeating our laws and institutions, including education, media, employment, government, and the criminal justice system.
Many view the death of George Floyd as a direct reflection of systemic racism, highlighting how racial bias disadvantages people of color within the criminal justice system. African American and Latinx males are disproportionately represented at every stage, from arrest through sentencing to death row. Furthermore, studies reveal that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be fatally harmed by police compared to their white counterparts.
How Hate and Bias Escalate
On the same day George Floyd lost his life, another incident unfolded in Central Park, New York. Christian Cooper, an African American enjoying birdwatching, encountered an unleashed dog and asked its owner, Amy Cooper (no relation), a white woman, to leash her pet as per park regulations. When she refused, he began recording the encounter. In response, she threatened to call the police, claiming, “I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life,” while dialing 911.
Though these two occurrences may seem unrelated, they underscore a crucial concept: unchecked hate and prejudice can escalate, resulting in catastrophic consequences.
The Pyramid of Hate elucidates how levels of biased attitudes and behaviors increase in complexity, from the foundational aspects at the bottom to the more severe expressions at the top. The foundational layers support the higher levels, making them increasingly challenging to confront and dismantle as actions intensify. Bias at every stratum adversely affects individuals, institutions, and our society at large. When bias is left unchallenged, it risks becoming normalized, perpetuating discrimination, hate, and injustice.
Amy Cooper’s irrational anger and bias led her to invoke a racial stereotype against Christian Cooper when she described him to the police, a situation that could have escalated dangerously had law enforcement intervened. The pervasiveness of escalating hate and bias has tragically led to violence and the deaths of George Floyd and so many others.
https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/george-floyd-racism-and-law-enforcement
Mission of the NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is dedicated to achieving political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eradicate race-based discrimination and promote the welfare of all individuals.
Objectives
- To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality for all citizens.
- To work towards equality in rights and eliminate racial prejudice among U.S. citizens.
- To dismantle all barriers to racial discrimination utilizing democratic processes.
- To advocate for the enactment and enforcement of laws at all levels aimed at securing civil rights.
- To raise public awareness about the harm caused by racial discrimination and work towards its elimination.
- To educate individuals about their constitutional rights and take lawful actions to guarantee their exercise, alongside any other lawful actions in pursuit of the NAACP’s foundational objectives.
