One of the benefits of an African American living in Australia is that I am not the primary focus of racism.
Don’t get me wrong for a moment – Racism and discrimination it’s not forgotten, however, the primary focus are Aboriginal Australians, not me. Not other African Americans that have migrated.
Shackles
I did not know how heavy the shackles of racism and discrimination were on me. I did not know how much extra effort it took to learn, to earn, to live.
I did not know how much time and effort I had to put into learning in our schools the culture of white people from England. I did not know how little the white people knew about me or my race or my culture.
In America the prominent culture rules the classroom. In Australia the prominent culture rules the classroom. Black history often glossed over while the exploits of Captain James Cook are enshrined as heroes, not for what they can also be known as:
- White invaders,
- White slave traders,
- White assailants.
What is often lost is the history of being black. It is a rich history. Important. Useful. Black people must be resilient to survive.
The future of work. The future of life.
Something scares me. When we talk about the future of work, it is usually about the future of work for the prominent culture. I believe much less thought is given to the future of work for black people.
Who is more entitled to wealth? Blacks or Whites?
My fear is that if I look at charts from a United States Federal Reserve survey on consumer finances (2016) white families have substantially more wealth than black families. White families have a net worth of $171,000, compare this to the meagre $17,600 for black families in America.
Who is more entitled to a higher income? Blacks or Whites?
The income of white families are $71,000 per annum. This compares to only $41,000 for black-Americans.
Who is more entitled to a job? Blacks or Whites?
Unemployment for black Americans is 16.7% while white Americans are 14.2%.
Who is more entitled to poverty? Blacks or Whites?
20.8% of Black American families live in poverty. This compares to only 8.1% of white Americans.
Who has more health insurance? Blacks or Whites?
Concerning healthcare, white Americans that lack health insurance is 5.4% while for Blacks is 9.7%.
This is even after the civil rights movement.
Entitlement
So it is hard for me to believe that white people do not feel entitled. On the whole they are wealthier. White people have more income. White people have less unemployment. White people have lower poverty. Wite people have better health care. Facts.
Entitled to live. Entitled to breathe.
But what the stats don’t tell us, is about the fear the shackles that comes from a lack of entitlement to live. Of being able to go anywhere. Anytime. In America as a black man, woman or child you could lose your life. Anywhere. Anytime. If not your life, your freedom. Anywhere. Anytime. Heavy shackles.
So it’s difficult for me to believe there is not systemic racism and discrimination.
George Floyd
George Floyd
George Floyd
I can’t breathe.
He had the systemic knee on his throat. He wanted to live. But it killed him.
Blacks have the invisible systemic shackles around our throats. These shackles hindering and making it more difficult for us to be all that we can be.
Feeling resilient, fortunate.
I do miss my American friends and family. I do feel fortunate to live in Australia. I like not being the primary focus of racism and discrimination. However, I do feel terrible for my friends and colleagues that are Aboriginal people. Like their American Blacks, they are fighting to be seen and heard.
I am proud to be in Australia. I am proud to be an American. I am fortunate to have found out what it feels like to shed some shackles (not all the shackles of racism and discrimination) but quite a few.
I only hope that more of my black people can see how that feels to be lighter on your feet without the shackles. You can breathe.
To do this my white friends needs to sit down and hear our story. Feel our pain. Accept there has been systemic racism from the President. From the Prime Minister. At the local stores. With that acceptance, I believe we can move forward.
I don’t think all people want to be racist. I don’t think all people want to discriminate. I do believe we have been hiding and shielding those that discriminate and it’s time to stop that.
George Floyd
George Floyd
George Floyd
I can’t breathe.
Less entitlement. More peace.
I also do not believe everyone wants to stop being a racist. That could mean giving up power. A lot of power. It will mean losing the feeling of being entitled. It means looking at the world in a completely different way, but in a way that can make you smarter more enlightened.
So when I think of the future of work, the future of life, I think that all people, all races should thrive. Not just the entitled. Everyone. I don’t want my black people being replaced by artificial intelligence while the entitled are not.
I don’t feel comfortable when the stock markets are going up while society seems to be losing. That black people only have $17,600 in terms of family wealth, compared to a white family with $171,000 in wealth. The result is
George Floyd
George Floyd
George Floyd
I can’t breathe.
I don’t know what it feels like to be white and entitled. We never will.
Being Arthur 