Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski filmed a Black Lives Matter message that prompted me to think of black lives absent riots and identity politics. I know black lives matter from personal experience and I want those Americans to know they matter. In a civil society, an aggrieved group’s demand to matter is not a demand for political power. It’s a demand for individuality and an end to negative stereotypes. Specifically, it’s a call to stop racial profiling, such as DC police stopping Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) for “driving while black.”
I am a white conservative who knows blacks are not inferior by birth. By the age of eighteen, Dock Green had proven black lives were brave, Ruth Thomas that black lives were loving, and Bill Alexander that black lives were intelligent. And, in a 44-year career, I have bought from, sold to, and worked with black lives without a single regret. In 2020, I am shocked every white isn’t grateful for black contributions to America and its culture.
After 66 years, I’ve earned my diversity chops, and I’m not “taking it to the streets” or going to “say her name” to prove myself to strangers. I choose to follow St. Paul’s advice and “speak the truth in love” to fellow Americans (even Maxine Waters). Because I love America, I care enough to confront black leaders who urge riots (arson and looting) or spew reckless rhetoric (defund the police).
I urge the residents of Minneapolis to care enough about community safety to confront Black Lives Matter, which insists local police departments are defunded. Minneapolis now has higher crime rates than 96% of America’s cities; a 1 in 123 chance of being a violent-crime victim (source: FBI). The local Star Tribune reports violent crime is up: 17% in total and 30% in affluent neighborhoods.
Census records prove affluent residents, regardless of race, flee crime and routinely move to homogeneous (same income and race) suburbs. How does this bring blacks and whites together? It does not and, as a practical matter, white flight leaves behind fewer economic opportunities, a denuded tax base, and bad schools. Far better that white residents confront Black Lives Matter to preserve law and order for the good of the whole.
Because black lives matter, I care enough to confront Democrats who ignore the true racial injustice in America; predominantly black school districts that fight school choice for black families. Every black problem in America is linked to black poverty that’s linked to black education that’s linked to Democrats bending to teacher unions that fear private-school vouchers and charter schools. Until Democrats elevate black children over union support, black lives will suffer.
Black voters should heed Candace Owens and give Republicans a shot in 2022. Demand national test scores and decide whose children were crushed by COVID distance-learning (not white kids). Remember who wanted to open up schools (Republicans) and who was seen dining out in fine restaurants (Democrats). Or – – blame Trump, re-elect Democrats, keep on rioting, and watch Asians and Latinos pass you by (now, that’s tough love).