BLACK PEOPLE AND GLOBAL POLARIZATION

A lot of people are convinced that the world is coming to an end. This may or may not be true, since this kind of prophecy pops up just about every century and it hasn’t happened yet. What is certain, however, is the fact that the world comes to an end for a lot of people EVERY DAY; they pass away from this realm.

There is no doubt, though, that there is extant a feeling of transformation, of transition, and this just might be what people are sensing when they say the world is coming to an end. What is more likely is that a death and a rebirth is coming into play. Wise people have said many times that as one cycle or thing ends, another begins; something new always comes out of something that is passing away.

One of the clearest indicators of this trend is the increasing polarization that is evident in every area of life on this planet – there is a widening gap between the rich and the poor with a vanishing middle class; Christians are in stark opposition to Muslims to such an extent that one American presidential candidate has called for them to be banned from the United States; there is increasing evidence of misconduct in police districts that have a heavy Black population resulting in a situation wherein many Black people are in opposition to all police; Democrats and Republicans in America are at extreme odds with one another, and racial tensions are rising among many groups as calls for the cessation of “politically incorrect” language are reaching a crescendo.

Because of this polarization, these are very dangerous times, but they are also pregnant with possibility. There is a foul climate in America that is becoming more evident as bigots are being flushed out of the woodwork emboldened by demagogues who are not ashamed to air their jaundiced viewpoints. This is contrasted by those who feel that disadvantaged and oppressed people should have a fair chance to achieve parity in America.

One of the best places to see this polarization in action in America is the race for party nominations for president of the United States. On the one hand we have the uber-left democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders and on the other hand we have the uber-right Donald Trump; both candidates are receiving a lot of attention. Their support gives a very clear picture of how divided the country has become.

With this said, there is an opportunity for African Americans to influence the outcomes of this polarization. But first, there must be caution regarding how things can play out in an environment that is starting to throw political correctness into the garbage heap. For one, it’s interesting that Black people have forgotten that anti-Black discrimination was the starting point for the politically correct movement due to sensitivity connected with perceived insults connected with racism. Black people were the initial beneficiaries of this movement. Now that it seems to be dissolving, Black people will have to decide what side to take and how to navigate the stormy waters of social unrest amidst the maelstrom of angst generated by an angry white cohort in America.

Fortunately, Black people are becoming more and more aware of the power of collective action. The challenge will be that the right decisions will have to be made in order for true and lasting progress to happen in Black America. One of the best tools in this regard is the VOTE. It must be utilized strategically; Black people in America must learn from mistakes of the past in order to ensure a better future. Black people must not cast their votes for people who have demonstrated an obvious disdain for the community. We must be vigilant and proactive if we are to successfully ride this wave of polarization so that we end up on the right side of the mountain. In order to do this, we must banish the old foes of self-hatred and disunity in order to come out triumphant. A luta continua.

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