If You Think We Are Past It, Perhaps You Have Never Experienced It

by Daniel DeWoskin
President, DeKalb Bar Association
atlantatrial.com

I frequently find myself wanting to reach conclusions about news events involving race, whether it be about Black Lives Matter, Affirmative Action, comments made by politicians, criticism of law enforcement throughout the country, or a host of other situations that come across the news wire. Although it is challenging, I try to refrain from making quick judgments and try to at least consider all points of view. This can be very difficult.

To be candid, I chose to write about this subject after seeing and hearing a presidential candidate suggest that we “patrol and secure” Muslim neighborhoods. Another presidential candidate previously called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims coming into the country until the level of threat to our national security can be properly ascertained. Sure, politics are controversial, which is why I need not inform you as to which candidates made any comment. For the purposes of this article, it does not matter.

I will not say that we should be better than this, that we should be above this type of analysis. We are above it and we are better than this. Most of those who read my articles are law school graduates who may or may not remember Korematsu v. United States. In that landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, the Court sided 6-3 with the U.S. government that the interment order placing Japanese-American citizens in camps was legal and legitimate. This was a dark day for the Supreme Court and for our nation.

When we are inclined to allow disparate treatment based categorically on religion or ethnicity, we are truly at our weakest moments as a nation.”

When we are inclined to allow disparate treatment based categorically on religion or ethnicity, we are truly at our weakest moments as a nation. Some would argue that we are only inclined to do this when our security is most threatened, such as by fears of terror or infiltration by our enemies. Others, myself included, think that is precisely the moment when we must stand up and demonstrate that we mean what we say and that we stand for the values that we claim to stand for.

To distrust someone because of his religion, the color of his skin, or what country he or his family is from is truly contrary to the fundamental principles that America was founded upon. There are, of course, other classifications that are afforded Constitutional protections, but to hear people who seek to lead the free world speak as though they have no clue about the inherent treachery of bigotry and isolationism is terrifying. There are those who would exploit fears of terrorism, and well-founded fears, to mobilize voters and perpetuate discord amongst the electorate. The more successful these tactics are, the more shame we should collectively feel as voters.

Our differences matter in this country. Our religions, our races, our cultures, and all those things that we bring as individuals strengthen us as a nation. If we allow leaders to marginalize these things as suspect, we embark on a danger that we have seen played out throughout history and we do so recklessly. Once more, this article is not about whom to vote for and whom not to vote for. Instead, I am advocating for us holding our candidates accountable. All of them. When they say things that we would not want to hear our children say at the dinner table, we should make it known that we disapprove. This is not a question of comparison between one candidate and the next. This is about affirming our criteria and values, such as equal protection under the law.

A large part of the divisiveness that we are experiencing stems from the fact that many are willing and even eager to decide how others should feel or perceive different events. As I am not an African American, it is not reasonable for me to reach conclusions as to how an African American person should react to police shootings or, more specifically, police misconduct. In fact, whether or not an event is one of police misconduct is often a matter of perspective. However, I can appreciate that there is a reason for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Similarly, I can only imagine what it must be like to be a Muslim citizen in this country right now. Many people do not believe that we are at war with ISIS or at war with terrorists and extremists, but instead that we are at war with Islam. This rhetoric has to keep Muslim citizens awake at night and fearful as to how they may be marginalized with every breaking news event. Rational citizens must let their voices be heard in times like these.

As the title of this article states, prejudice and bigotry are not issues of the past for us as Americans. We have made and continue to make great progress, but we have far to go. One thing that will assist us in effectively communicating as citizens of a free nation is an open mind and a willingness to refrain from quick judgments as to how others should react or respond to world events. Our leaders, and those who seek to be our leaders, should be among the most patient and reasonable voices we hear. At this moment, few if any of these voices seem up to the challenge.