The Problem With Band-Aids

As children—before we knew better—we believed that putting a Band-Aid on almost any sore would begin the healing process.  Oh, you have an abscess tooth?  No problem, grab a Band-Aid.  As ridiculous as this sounds today, that is what certain “leaders” are proposing to solve systemic racial issues in this Country.  Painting “Black Lives Matter” on the pavement or naming a street “Black Lives Matter Blvd.,” or singing the Negro National Anthem before a sporting event are Band-Aids.  These do not cut to the root of the issues.  As it pertains to systemic racism, this country needs open-heart surgery.  Band-Aids are no good in that space.  Either of the overtures mentioned above could be productive as a small part of a more comprehensive plan of action.  Many folks are skeptical of these overtures, however, because we have seen it all before.  Folks need to see comprehensive plans of action and then see immediate steps to solve these racial issues.  That some leaders believe these Band-Aids will appease us is disrespectful and ineffective.  We need real change, not Band-Aids.

Police Brutality is a pervasive problem in the Black community.  And has been so for many, many years.  During the 1960s (60 plus years ago), the Black Panther Party outlined a 10-Point Plan of action to address many injustices plaguing the Black Community.  And guess what point seven of the 10-Point plan demanded?  You guessed it:  We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY.  Most of the Civil Rights activists are dead, imprisoned or no longer have a platform.  That we are still fighting for this basic HUMAN RIGHT is a problem.  It shines a light on the obvious, which is that this Country has only made marginal progress in this fight.  This is not a “post-racial America.”  If you believe that, you probably believe the world is flat and that storks deliver babies. 

Many Black folks have lost faith in the Justice System.  For older generations who endured Jim Crow Laws and then saw U.S. citizens elect the first (and only) Black president, I can only imagine how they must feel.  The roller coaster of emotions must be tough to understand.  We take two steps forward, and then 5 steps backwards.  This has been going on for decades, all while, systemic racism has never disappeared.  It is like the sand at the bottom of the ocean.  You may not see it every day because of heavy vegetation, or lack of sunlight, but you know it is there, somewhere in the deep abyss.  That is systemic racism.  It is pervasive.  It is enduring.  It is ugly. 

How do we solve the issue of police brutality?  There is no quick, immediate answer to this question.  One easy way to begin the long healing process would be to arrest the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor.  It is sad to say, but many of us have become accustomed to law enforcement officers taking our lives or our liberty (or both in many cases).  We are conditioned to not even expect justice in the form of arrests, convictions or prison sentences.  Instead, we are accustomed to these pronouncements: “No charges have been brought against officer John Doe”; and “The officers have been acquitted.” 

Here are a few additional ideas, that, frankly, are practical and doable.  Hire independent investigators to investigate police departments with the worst reputations for police brutality.  This should not be hard to determine.  Policies and standard procedures must be overhauled as well.  So, empower the investigators to review policies and procedures that support a culture of brutality and systemic racism.  Empower these investigators to publish reports of rampant injustices and then begin immediately demoting, firing and even prosecuting wrongdoers.   Hire a task force to investigate widespread voter suppression efforts across this country.  We know this is a real problem and is prevalent in lower income communities.  If every vote were counted, that would entice many folks to vote.  Particularly this is important in years when we are not electing a President.  Local politicians are often the people who have the power to make meaningful changes in your community, not the President.  Implementing some or all of these strategies will not undo decades of systemic discrimination and mistreatment.  This is an action plan, at least.  And is more than another meaningless Band-Aid.    

Many of us know the Negro National Anthem. We learned the words to this song when we were children (although unlikely in school).  To be clear: singing this song before a sporting event will not impact systemic racism in any meaningful way.  It is a Band-Aid. 

When we speak about sporting events, lets talk about the NBA and NFL.  Both leagues are dominated by Black players, yet there is only one Black majority owner in the NBA (who conveniently is the greatest basketball player ever) and zero in the NFL.   What does that mean?  Well if there is not a critical mass of Black folks at the highest levels of these sports, how can we expect to have a meaningful voice at the table?  The answer is we will not and cannot.  How about we get serious about holding franchises responsible for having diverse and inclusive ownership and leadership teams?  I mean, can you imagine a sport dominated by non-Blacks such as hockey being owned and led by non-Blacks.  You cannot imagine it because that would never happen.    

2020 has been a rough year for most industries and has been challenging for regular people.  Travel is restricted.  Unemployment numbers continue to spike.  COVID-19 is ravaging our country.  And we witnessed one of the worst displays of racism in the murder of George Floyd.  People are sick and tired of Band-Aids.  We need immediate surgery on the problem that is systemic racism.  A Band-Aid is no longer sufficient (and never was).

Peace