We Never Talk About Race Until Something Bad Happens

Often criticized for speaking out, Mr. Barkley provides
some harsh realities.

       Is it true?  In a recent interview with CNN, Charles Barkley, the man that does not mean to create controversies, just bring them to our attention, is once again doing his job.  Barkley said that he firmly stands by his comments he recently made.  Those include calling people who torched Ferguson buildings "Scumbags" and fellow black men degrading successful African-Americans as not black enough.  Barkley also agreed with the grand jury's decision not to indict former Officer Darren Wilson.  During the interview, Barkley repeatedly returned to the point that he does not believe that white cops are out to shoot black people because of racism.  He claims that we never discuss race in this country until something bad happens, even then, it usually reflects the tribe mentality.  This tribe mentality trumps everything else our minds, giving us the thought that no matter what, our group is correct, regardless of any other thoughts in our minds.  Barkley reminds that the black community has a lot of crooks and thieves, and that is that main reason that the police racially profile the African-American community, something Barkley does not always see as correct.  

       It is with extreme caution that I say that I agree with the words of Mr. Barkley.  While they are slightly too extreme for me to utter, this idea is something that is logical.  The fundamental idea is that this racial profiling has been brought upon black people, by black people.  Over decades and decades.  I disagree with the angry and destructive protests that ended up taking place after the grand-jury had announced their decision.  Anybody who is willing to peacefully protest is a great symbol of the United States of America, because that is the way that the country has developed and evolved.  This was shown most beautifully when NFL players held up their hands towards the sky as a symbolic gesture to Michael Brown and his family.  However, burning property, police cars and destroying houses of unknown owners is completely unnecessary and just leads to further racial profiling.  The police truly aren't out and about looking for black people to kill, the black community needs to engage in some self-examination in order to understand exactly what is happening in my opinion.   

William Deo

Adapted from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/us/charles-barkley-on-race/index.html?hpt=us_c2