Are non-blacks ready for change? Probably not
Is Fresno ready for change? Most of the time it’s not like a light bulb goes off and a non-black guy understands what it’s like to be black. Black comedian Chris Rock, about a decade ago told white audiences, “None of ya would change places with me! And I’m rich! That’s how good it is to be white!”
It’s easy for non-black people to see the outcome of marginalization. They see black guys committing crimes. They notice the black dress, mannerisms and music; and many people don’t like it.
They notice the disrespect and distrust that many black people have of the American political and economic system, including the police. The marginalization creates a class division that often gets confused and mixed up with racism. It ultimately causes fear.
The fear that runs deep down caused by the Black Lives Matter movement is the fear of systematic change. Change doesn’t happen in America unless the system allows it to. Can our system see that black lives matter? Probably not; unless the system changes.
This is the root of the non-black man’s fear. Non-black people understand this is the impeding threat; because it will ultimately challenge their wealth and privilege.
Keith Ross, Fresno
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Are non-blacks ready for change? Probably not."