AN OPEN LETTER TO POC (PEOPLE OF COLOR)

I must confess to the surprise of the mix of emotions that I felt upon realizing that Trump was actually winning the presidential election. I am often criticized for my lack of emotions, except related to children and animals. Yet, here I was, like so many, stunned and momentarily disheartened by an outcome that I believe may potentially have long lasting and far-reaching effects.

I am a Black and Hispanic male born and raised in New York City. I lead in with my race and ethnicity, because no matter how much America tries to ignore the fact, that is the first thing that people initially identify me as when they first see me. I unapologetically have an intense love for People Of Color (POC), not just because they may look like me but also, because I have a strong identification with many of the struggles that come with being a POC in the United States.

When people first see me, they see a POC. Depending on how disarming my smile may be, (I have been accused of having a resting “mean mug” face) I can easily fit into people’s stereotypical fear of Black or Hispanic men. My educational background is not discernible at first glance. My traveling experiences and ease and comfort in not only my own skin, but the world around me are not evident when I walk down the street in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers. I look like, cause I am like, the tens of millions of other POC that inhabit America.

My surprise in the emotions came not only from the results of the election itself, but in my own reactions. I am have been incredibly blessed. For many years now my personal life has largely been election and politician proof. Let me clarify.

I am predominately self-employed. I am older and educated. The education is not only scholastic, but an understanding of how to navigate the complexities of America’s governing and policies. I am largely out of the grasp of governmental controls, cutbacks and regulations that affect many. I went through the Giuliani years in NYC when I was stopped, frisked and detained literally dozens of times while I was actually enrolled in college and law school. For a multitude of reasons I have significantly less dealing with the law enforcement today. Purely from a selfish standpoint I could vote on politics for those promoting the empowerment and enrichment of the establishment, which on paper alone, I fit within.

Yet, my interests in the political process rise well above any potential self-interest. I reiterate my unapologetic love and passion towards the issues that POC as a whole face. Those issues are much more important than any tax break I might potentially benefit from supporting an establishment that is equally unapologetic in its disregard and lack of empathy for POC.

First, let me say that it is a completely false narrative to suggest that a love for one’s people in any way precludes a lack of respect and empathy for any other races or cultures. To love and be passionate for POC does not mean I have to hate or disregard Whites. The two are in no way mutually inclusive. Whites of Italian, Irish, English decent are never questioned about their love or connection to their heritage. Judaism, while a religion, has come to embody an ethnicity and heritage and no one questions their strong connections to their identity. I am not a separatist, but someone that believes that self-empowerment and education will help POC substantially improve their standing within America.

I was filled with emotions because I believe I understand the potential effect that a Trump presidency along with complete control of the US Congress and Senate, will have on POC.

I heard the rumblings and saw it on social media. Too many POC had resigned themselves to somehow believing that either their vote did not really mean anything or because they did not “like” either of the two primary candidates they were going to somehow protest the process by not voting or voting in a third party candidate.

The election is over, but here is why it is still so important to understand why participating in the process is crucial moving forward for POC. Trump will immediately appoint one conservative member to the US Supreme Court. You think that appointment isn’t important, then take into account the Republicans blocked Obama from making the appointment for the vacancy created in February, though it is the Constitutional right of the president to do so. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 83 years old and a considered liberal member of the court, it is highly likely that Trump will get to appoint yet another conservative member of the Court within the next four years. A 6-3 conservative court has the likelihood of overturning so much of the legislation and in roads that have helped POC and women achieve extended civil rights. A 6-3 conservative court has the very real possibility of overturning abortion rights or at the very least making them much more restrictive and punitive toward women. States, pushing a conservative agenda, including immigration and felony disenfranchisement, will be consistently upheld.

Many people have heard of Brown vs. Board of Education. It was the 1954 case in which the US Supreme Court ruled racial segregation unlawful in schools. People know this and point to it, correctly, as one of the landmark moments for the Civil Rights movement in America. Brown vs. Board of Ed., like the Roe v. Wade (The Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortions), have never been officially overturned. The rights to vote for women and POC have never been rescinded. However, though I am careful to not sound like an overacting alarmist, the reality is that a conservative US Supreme Court has consistently supported the conservative agenda promoted by states and administrations that have been very transparent in their policies to curtail the rights and protections of the minority (in which POC are the majority) in this country.

I mentioned Giuliani earlier and the thought of him becoming The United States Attorney General or a Supreme Court nominee, make me absolutely rescind my statement that I had reached a point where I was immune to the policies of our government. The divisiveness of having leaders in place who have shown complete disregard and lack of empathy for POC is a scary proposition to our overall well-being and safety. I am not being an alarmist…listen to Giuliani’s own words…Listen to Trump’s own words… His continued refusal to acknowledge his wrong in asserting guilt and death for the later exonerated Central Park 5 is only one glaring example.

We must remain more vigilant than ever. We are, possibly (because even without reason I am still not devoid of hope), facing one of the most insensitive and non-empathetic administrations in many years. We cannot despair, but rather use this as a learning lesson and reach out to teach others that we must be part of the system to fight against injustices within the system.

You still do not believe this to be true, just look at the how Trump won the election. Whites may have been furious at the Obama administration and not even particularly cared for their own candidate. Yet, they didn’t sit the election out in complaint or protest…the opposite is true they came out in even greater numbers.

The emotions and disappointment aside, we must stay engaged. In two years we will get another opportunity to rescind the Republican majority in the House and Senate. We must not lose faith in understanding that THEY hope we become disinterested and disengaged from the process. Our apathy will only ensure their majority and staying in control of our destinies. THEY know this, and this is why we must continue to educate ourselves on a system and process that historically we are still new to. Once we have shown the consistent ability to organize and control elections, then we can be more active in dictating the actual candidates we want to represent the progressive nature of what this country has become, not some idealized notion that a White majority is desperately trying to maintain.

You may read other features, daily, within diaryofamadmind.com

#Trump, election2016, #Giuliani, #selfempowerment, #peopleofcolor, #minorities, #POC, Democrats, #Republicans, #protest