Technology reveals nation still struggles with race

A young black man named Ahmaud Arbery who was jogging was killed by three white men in Georgia. Why? What was Ahmaud’s fault? According to his killers, Ahmaud resembled the description of a burglar. That was enough for these three white men to start a chase with guns “to make citizen’s arrest.” Citizen’s arrest? Really? These three white men did not call 911. These three men allegedly blocked Ahmaud and killed him. And, the local prosecutors refused to file the charges. America is back with a bang!

In Minneapolis, George Floyd was pinned under the knee by a white police officer. What was George’s fault? That a complaint was made that he tendered counterfeit $20 bill. Mind you, the shop owner later said he was not sure if George Floyd knew that the bill was counterfeit.

George Floyd cried out loud “Please, help me! I can’t breathe! Mama. Please” The bystanders who were video recording the incident told the cops George Floyd was in severe distress and begged to let go, but no. The cop kept pressing his knee on George’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds until George was motionless. Even animals are slaughtered in more humane ways in slaughterhouses.

In reality, Ahmaud’s fault was that he was black, young kid. Yes, black first and then young. If there had been a middle-aged black person in place of Ahmaud, he would also have been slaughtered. I have no doubt that had he not been black, he would not have faced the cruel killing.

I thought the existential attack of coronavirus would change some things in America but, when it comes to bias and racism, no there is no change. So, yes, America is back with bang — bringing her racial history into the present and living that sordid history again.

The reason these murders came to light is because of technology, the biggest social and economic equalizer. How many nameless Ahmaud Arberys and George Floyds have been killed either by racist individuals or by cops whose massacre we do not know of because there is no video?

Then came the protests. What a difference between two protests in Bentonville. One without the engagement of law enforcement resulting in a tear gas incident and the other in same city with engagement of law enforcement resulting in peaceful homage to George Floyd. Our law enforcement needs lot more training when it comes to engaging with their own citizens in these situations. Militarized police forces are a big hurdle. What we need is active social engagement by law enforcement.

America has many faces — the ugliest being her racist face, but surely this is the land every freedom-loving person aspires to belong to. I sincerely hope and pray that the face of that shining city on the hill as a beacon of freedom and redemption will outshine her racist ugly face.

ANI MARATHE Bentonville