Recently you printed a reply [“Color My World,” Feb. 14] to being colorblind and not needing denotation of colors, especially when it deals with sports [“Tired of the Color Code,” Jan. 31]. We have not even begun to deal with the inherent institutionalized racism of this country. It seems an economic boon to foster and grow racism.
Let’s talk about February, Black History Month. How interesting that the shortest month of the year is designated as Black History Month. What message does that give? And is it not convenient to forget that it was on the backs of the kidnapped slaves this country was built? But wait a minute, I don’t remember seeing a memorial to these people, let alone any reparation for the way they were so cruelly and barbarically treated. The original people that were savagely brought here were architects, physicians, city planners, scientists—brilliant black minds!
How easily convoluted the truth becomes when a people is dehumanized [and] no longer seen as capable. We have had 500 plus years of being told that. We don’t even open our eyes to see that the contribution of inventions of these kidnapped slaves has provided comfort for the rest of the European population (check out Blackmiracles.com).
And even here in the conundrum of “progressive” Asheville, the sculpture in the front of the Civic Center (depicting life in WNC) is totally European. The black population here is almost invisible, with jobs to match.
Imagine what you would feel like if you were invisible. Not the gee, I-wish-I-was-a-fly-on-the-wall invisible. No, the walk-down-the-street, not-be-noticed-or-smiled-to, or worse yet, being-pushed-off-the-sidewalk invisible and hated, coupled with a heaping dose of stony, nontrusting cold-scary vibes.
When do we raise our eyes and finally see?
The weakest link is not only global warming, it is racism and injustice. To quote Gil Scott-Heron, “It’s winter in America.”
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