The New Political Rules of Racism

Written by Ridhwan Sediqe

With my college graduation so close that I can almost touch it, I started 2019 with renewed hope and faith in the possibilities ahead. Common narratives on social media by the end of 2018 revealed deep frustration and rage at the developments of the last year. From Brett Kavanaugh, to the Wall, to widespread voter suppression, last year proved to be a trying time for our nation’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

A month into 2019 however and things have already taken a turn for the worse. The year began with a partial shutdown of our federal government that continued for 5 weeks. From TSA agents to the IRS, access to basic government agencies that citizens depend on were shutdown or severely depleted. Nearly a million federal employees were left with no income, many resorting to desperate measures to provide for themselves. Just another one of President Trump’s political stunts, this time to force American taxpayers to pay for a xenophobic wall with Mexico, forcing many folks to ration food and medicine.

Each day brings more alarming stories to the forefront, this time from Virginia. While we begin Black History Month in memory of the activists who fought tooth and nail for a community still struggling to combat racism, we’ve discovered that the Virginian Governor, Attorney General, and Senate Majority Leader have all performed “blackface,” a theatrical makeup used to mimic black caricatures that have historically denigrated African Americans. The origins of “blackface” have a racist origin with its depiction used to portray black people in a negative light as well as sanitizing the practice of slavery.

These horrifying and egregious acts defy belief. As reports have come in, we also saw fashion brand Gucci lacking the foresight to acknowledge that one of its jumpers distinctly resembled blackface. Actor Liam Neeson has admitted to hunting black men in a desire for revenge, looking to fight any innocent black men in retaliation for an unrelated crime. A month removed from the frustrating year of 2018, we are given several bitter reminders that racism is an enduring evil and presence in American society.

As of now,  Governor Northam and state leadership have refused to resign, and the only real backlash from these developments has come in the form of Gucci pulling its  jumper off the market. So what does this mean for us now?

We need to do more. Our power as individuals lies in our ability to keep these conversations alive. The fact that some are allowing Virginia’s state leadership to distance themselves from their history of racist acts should not be okay. To see some are questioning the harm of blackface and the significance of these leader’s histories is not okay. But if our institutions and sources of information are the very ones perpetuating these offenses, then the responsibility to inform the masses and inspire awareness falls upon us.

Despite the many pitfalls and disappointments of 2018, we found sources of hope. The “Blue Wave” in the midterm elections brought young, diverse energy into our federal government. We have people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaking truth to power, using social media to inform Americans about what is happening in our nation’s capital, and being fearless in challenging policy that place many in positions of harm. However, we need to continue investing in this power and change, to ensure that there are more voices challenging our political establishment to do better and be better.

Our aspiration in a time where acts of racism and hate go ignored and unidentified; where stories of violence and more are met with silence needs to come from our collective commitment and ability to speak with one another. Activism and change does not have to be an immense burden, but a simple responsibility to challenge the way that we and others around us interpret our ever-changing world.

The year 2020 is a crucial one for our country. We need people talking about participating in the National Census, to ensure that we know what our country looks like, who resides within it, and how Government can work to support them. However, the most prominent issue on the horizon will be the presidential election. This will be the most immediate opportunity our nation has to challenge our current administration and push them out of power. As Democrats begin announcing their candidacy however, it’s essential to consider not just who they are, but what they will do if given that chance to lead our nation into the future. Will they truly fight to combat institutional racism, corporate interests, and promote greater institutional equity for our nation’s marginalized groups? Or will they acquiesce to the powerful and rich?

As 2019 continues to unfold, keep these conversations, these questions, these developments in mind. It is up to you to be the difference we need in 2019.