The Reader: Look to history for the source of American racism

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4 June 2020
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Throughout the history of the US, African Americans have been disproportionately persecuted as a consequence of institutionalised racism in the political and legal systems. They have never truly been free from the shackles of prejudice and racism.

Immediately after the abolition of slavery 155 years ago, it was effectively reinstated through prison labour, with the mass incarceration of African Americans for crimes as trivial as loitering. Even those who were “free” were suppressed, stifled and segregated via policies such as the “Jim Crow” laws. More recently, the pervading theme of a war on drugs has been a thinly veiled promise to disproportionately persecute African Americans.

On May 25, George Floyd was added to the number who have died amid accusations of racially motivated police brutality. The incarceration of the officers may mitigate the surface wound, but to address the contagion at the nucleus of American institutions radical change is needed.
Jude Todd-Warmoth

Editor's reply

Dear Jude

One of the many painful facts about the death of George Floyd is that it shows little has changed. As you say, there is a long and brutal history of racism in America that we can’t ignore. But at the same time we must look critically at the present. Donald Trump has widened the racial divide and extremist white voices have gained confidence. And we are far from equality in our workplaces and public life. Change is needed, soon.
Susannah Butter, Comment Editor

Lockdown works

The image in yesterday’s Standard, of hundreds enjoying food and drink in a narrow Paris street full of reopened bars and restaurants, sums up why the cities of western Europe will be back in lockdown soon. No one is even a metre apart. Yes, lockdowns are tedious, but better that than another spike in loved ones’ suffering and death.
Paul Trow

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