I cannot say that I predicted what has become apparent in this year 2020, but in hindsight and based upon my experiences it sadly makes perfect sense. No, I'm not talking about the coronavirus pandemic. Only few could have imagined that nightmare. I am talking about making openly known that which has always existed, America's 'Bigotry' and Racism.' The catalyst or vehicle bringing this issue into the light of day has been the speech act of one President Donald J. Trump. It began with veiled subtleties, innuendos and coded language.
To best connect the dots, I would offer my formative experiences of the 1940's and 1950's. I was raised by hardworking, God worshiping parents and an extended family in multicultural/diversified East St. Louis, a city of some 80,000 people who understood the unspoken boundaries of forced and unforced separation. Many second generation immigrants continued to intentionally settle in geographical pockets, which afforded the desired comforts of practiced language and customs similarities. I don't recall shared fears that folks from Poland, Italy, Ireland, Checloslavia, France, etc. would move into your neighborhood but woe betide should the 'Colored' people from the 'Southend' move in. Oh, it was okay if Black women came into those White neighborhoods to do domestic work but they best be on a City bus headed to their 'own' area come four o'clock. Those folks best 'know their place.' The Blacks of that period were denied many good paying union jobs and forced to live in slums. Whites could then point to them in a condescending tone suggesting 'laziness.' However if a black man looked to be energetic and bent on upward mobility, White folks could label him as an 'uppity ni*#er.' I heard it over and over.
I can't speak for other cities but I can for St. Louis and East St. Louis when I state that ignorant prejudices unsubstantiated by facts were muted and consealed in those times but nevertheless existed. I heard those conversation that promoted those 'white-man' fears and negative attitudes towards people of color. It was confusing. Most in my neighborhood were Church going people. Following the teachings of Christ but sure the hell not living those teachings. (And Christians today weigh-in on abortion and gay-lesbian rights while ignoring racism as obvious as brown children locked in cages separated from parents).
In the past three and one half years our President, propped-up a complicit Republican Party has gone from negative racially charged coded hate language, ie, "Drug dealers, Thugs and rapist," to the less subtle fear mongering about safety in the suburbs should he (Trump) not be re-elected..."Your home will go down in value." Trump sells the fear of Blacks coming into your neighborhood would cause crime to go up while home values and safety decreases.
America's hate filled divisiveness nurtured by a President who wishes to play upon fears promotes racial intolerance and rippens the field for conflict, which may soon culminate with horrible sights in our streets. I fear circumstances following our 2020, Presidential election. The most powerful nation in the world can defeat all outside enemies but cannot protect from within.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln
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