African Americans suffered generations of blatant and subtle oppression. Only with the very recent election does the nation collectively see the beginning of a healing of that humiliating national past.
Of course the hate didn't disappear, it just changed focus. It now targets sexual orientation and people of Latino origin. It begins at the highest political levels and trickles down into the media, affecting our educators, law enforcement officers, school boards and the very small business owners and agricultural businesses that employ them.
They are routinely discouraged from applying for benefits that by federal law, must be delivered regardless of national origin. They are discouraged from entering into public school systems, denied school lunch reductions, and supplemental food programs for pregnant and nursing mothers.
They are responsible for every single commodity grown, directly and indirectly, be it animal or crop - consumed by Americans and exported to other countries - yet they suffer food scarcity of epidemic proportions.
They are routinely at risk of arrest for driving without a license and subsequent deportation as they attempt to go to work.
Jim Crow has been effectively replaced by Juan Crow.
What is the future of hate in America? Will immigration legislation deter those terrified of diversity? Who is next on America's list?
How and to what extent can the media be held responsible for inflaming tensions to get a story? Lou Dobbs is an excellent example but even he has scaled back his rhetoric in recent months. At least now he focuses on the lack of governmental intervention rather than placing blame solely on the shoulders of the immigrants.
How responsible are schools and churches for encouraging segregation and not disciplining racial slurs?
How much does the future of hatred in America hinge upon a social movement to demand its annihilation?
And if an African American United States President can pull America out of its self-made canyon of racial animosity, what will it take to correct the impression that brown people with an accent are worthy of humane treatment?
Best,
Inna