The world is not fair. We cannot defeat racism by being “fair”.
Fair only works when “All men are created equal” and despite what we’ve been told, they are not. Physical, social, emotional, economic differences abound.
Social equality is a pleasant idea, told to give the struggling, failing poor hope AND to make the rich, wealthy, over privileged treat the poor as actual human beings. There is nothing equal in how we live. And, truth be told, I’m not looking for some kind of socialist/communist equality, no. So don’t even go there.
What I am looking for is a way to better fight racism, and I believe that that is social equity. When we admit that there are differences and we make decisions based upon those decisions.
Back in the day men like Booker T. Washington understood that there was no way the son of an uneducated, backwards former slave was going to be able to compete equally with the son of a former plantation owner. He worked for equity, to raise the sons of former slaves UP, rather than treat them as equal starting off. They were not, and he knew it. It is still the true today.
The Covid19 pandemic is bringing to light all the inherent racism in our system. And until we have a president who can publicly admit that, it isn’t going to change.
But when a white woman calls the police in Central Park to report that a black man is threatening her (he was only reminding her of the leash laws concerning her unleashed dog) – all caught by the black man’s cell phone video – she is not charged with making false reports to the police.
She should not only be fired, she should be charged and jailed.
Her call to the police is tantamount to a threat of violence, considering how black males are treated by the NYC police department.
Deep cut from Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek’s “Choose Up and Choose Off” 1973: “I see a white boy, black girl, brown boy, white girl, Yellow girl, white boy, gonna mix it all up. The golden race will be the new people”.
Children aren’t born racist, it’s taught to them. Encouraged by actions of others. Expressed fear, hate and mistrust for those who don’t look like them. Babies of all colors will play together. It’s the adults that teach hate. Teach your children well.
I told my sons from the time they were babies that I was fine if they turned out to be gay. They could choose to marry any faith, race, etc that made them happy. I’d even grudgingly accept a Redskin fan.But, bring home a Republican and you’re out of the will.
Mr. Benson this artwork is beautiful and the message so powerful. The racism that exists in this country is just as prevalent as it was in the 16th century. I don’t think it will end anytime soon and I don’t think I will live long enough to see any kind of true change. I wish I knew what the answer is to this situation. Maybe we should all be born color blind.
Your image is so powerful. It clearly brought to mind: An oppressed people cannot be solely responsible for making a society change. How in the world would this man you depict correct the burdens placed on him? Change requires the oppressor-class to wake the hell up, to be strong, clear supporters for change. No more staying on the side-lines; no more silence; no more willful ignorance. Speak out on behalf of those who struggle. Thank you Mr Benson.
Claiming that the problem is “racism” is a distraction from the much broader problem, which is “hate”. Racism is just one form of hate, though a form which some (far too many) people find convenient.
There’s religious hatred, partisan political hatred, “road rage”, hatred of science, hatred of any perceived difference of opinion… even hatred of reality. And many people will vent their hate — even violently — for essentially no reason at all. Instead, when they feel like hating, they aim their hate at whatever is handy.
Meanwhile, I would say that attacking racism while ignoring other forms of hate is itself a kind a racism.
I might even believe that dogwalker in Central Park when she says she’s not fundamentally racist. No, she just hated being disturbed/inconvenienced, so she lashed out. His race was a convenience, which she could use to make her complaint to the (presumably racist) police more powerful. But I could also believe that if he had been white, she still would have called the police and said that she was being attacked… but simply by a “man” rather than by a “black man”.
And yeah, selfishness goes hand in hand with hate. Selfish people tend to hate anything they believe could impede their selfishness.
mourdac Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Thank you, Steve. It is all tied together, can’t separate one issue from another.
Durak Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The world is not fair. We cannot defeat racism by being “fair”.
Fair only works when “All men are created equal” and despite what we’ve been told, they are not. Physical, social, emotional, economic differences abound.
Social equality is a pleasant idea, told to give the struggling, failing poor hope AND to make the rich, wealthy, over privileged treat the poor as actual human beings. There is nothing equal in how we live. And, truth be told, I’m not looking for some kind of socialist/communist equality, no. So don’t even go there.
What I am looking for is a way to better fight racism, and I believe that that is social equity. When we admit that there are differences and we make decisions based upon those decisions.
Back in the day men like Booker T. Washington understood that there was no way the son of an uneducated, backwards former slave was going to be able to compete equally with the son of a former plantation owner. He worked for equity, to raise the sons of former slaves UP, rather than treat them as equal starting off. They were not, and he knew it. It is still the true today.
The Covid19 pandemic is bringing to light all the inherent racism in our system. And until we have a president who can publicly admit that, it isn’t going to change.
john_chubb almost 4 years ago
But when a white woman calls the police in Central Park to report that a black man is threatening her (he was only reminding her of the leash laws concerning her unleashed dog) – all caught by the black man’s cell phone video – she is not charged with making false reports to the police.
She should not only be fired, she should be charged and jailed.
Her call to the police is tantamount to a threat of violence, considering how black males are treated by the NYC police department.
walstib Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Deep cut from Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek’s “Choose Up and Choose Off” 1973: “I see a white boy, black girl, brown boy, white girl, Yellow girl, white boy, gonna mix it all up. The golden race will be the new people”.
Monchoxyz almost 4 years ago
Powerful toon.
The Love of Money is . . . almost 4 years ago
Children aren’t born racist, it’s taught to them. Encouraged by actions of others. Expressed fear, hate and mistrust for those who don’t look like them. Babies of all colors will play together. It’s the adults that teach hate. Teach your children well.
pamela welch Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Powerful artwork Steve ♥
Diane Lee Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I told my sons from the time they were babies that I was fine if they turned out to be gay. They could choose to marry any faith, race, etc that made them happy. I’d even grudgingly accept a Redskin fan.But, bring home a Republican and you’re out of the will.
Daphne Stern Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Brilliant!
FrannieL Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Mr. Benson this artwork is beautiful and the message so powerful. The racism that exists in this country is just as prevalent as it was in the 16th century. I don’t think it will end anytime soon and I don’t think I will live long enough to see any kind of true change. I wish I knew what the answer is to this situation. Maybe we should all be born color blind.
Pgalden1 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Your image is so powerful. It clearly brought to mind: An oppressed people cannot be solely responsible for making a society change. How in the world would this man you depict correct the burdens placed on him? Change requires the oppressor-class to wake the hell up, to be strong, clear supporters for change. No more staying on the side-lines; no more silence; no more willful ignorance. Speak out on behalf of those who struggle. Thank you Mr Benson.
gammaguy almost 4 years ago
Claiming that the problem is “racism” is a distraction from the much broader problem, which is “hate”. Racism is just one form of hate, though a form which some (far too many) people find convenient.
There’s religious hatred, partisan political hatred, “road rage”, hatred of science, hatred of any perceived difference of opinion… even hatred of reality. And many people will vent their hate — even violently — for essentially no reason at all. Instead, when they feel like hating, they aim their hate at whatever is handy.
Meanwhile, I would say that attacking racism while ignoring other forms of hate is itself a kind a racism.
I might even believe that dogwalker in Central Park when she says she’s not fundamentally racist. No, she just hated being disturbed/inconvenienced, so she lashed out. His race was a convenience, which she could use to make her complaint to the (presumably racist) police more powerful. But I could also believe that if he had been white, she still would have called the police and said that she was being attacked… but simply by a “man” rather than by a “black man”.
And yeah, selfishness goes hand in hand with hate. Selfish people tend to hate anything they believe could impede their selfishness.