State of Rainbow Absurdity

 

 

THE STATE OF RAINBOW ABSURDITY

 

The just released National Urban League 2021 report on the "State of Black America" suggests we ought to make strong investments in seeking to understand the simultaneity of history as process and as multiple recordings (often contradictory) of the process.  We ought to focus on the sleight-of-hand involved in speaking of any group of American citizens as a collective.  Community and collectivity are not identical. We can have little certitude about anything other than uncertainty.  The NUL's current report addresses "The New Normal," which in my not-modest opinion is "The New Absurdity."  The minor flaw in the report is an absence of comments on Native Americas.

 

American citizens who profit most from manufacturing misery and suffering for large numbers of Black American citizens should at least have the decency to publish annual reports on the State of White America.  In a democracy,  it might be argued that equity in suffering is a necessity. It seems obviously to be a necessity when we scrutinize theory and practice of elusive American justice.  It would also be helpful to have annual reports on the States of Brown, Yellow, and Red America, a more thorough surveillance of how color as color functions in the dynamics of implacable systemic  prejudice and racism. But information alone will not produce the meaningful change the United States needs in the 21st century.  In moments of depression, I envision a second American Civil War, and I know the consequences of such a war will be the perfection of dystopia. I should weep for those who will be compelled to witness that event.

 

Jerry W. Ward, Jr.            July 15, 2021

 

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