When it comes to race, particularly racism, Americans are yet to realize Martin Luther's dream. Like racism itself, the attitude towards it has several sides with two major ones, those who are and those who are not. As a nation, America comprises some people who are ready to wash their hands on racism and others who are not there yet. The latter group does not include only racists, as one would assume; it encompasses all who are not prepared to accept America's history, forgive their ancestors, and move on to a new chapter.
The major problem lies in shame and fear (Block, 2020). Naturally, Americans are ashamed of what their history represents in terms of racism. From slavery, the civil war, the civil rights movement, the fight against desegregation, and the current black lives matter movement, America, sadly has little progress to show in that area (Zakaria, a, 2020). Unfortunately, the fear of repeating those mistakes, accompanied by the fear to teach the next generation that their ancestors were nothing short of perfect, is the reason America is yet to combat racism fully. For instance, the confederate flag is, and will always be, the representation of the Confederacy. Like all flags, it reminds generations of the struggles their ancestors undertook to protect their values and instill pride in the much they have achieved. However, for this particular flag, its values are the exact embodiment of slavery, and its achievements are the deaths of thousands of Americans.
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That said, monuments also contribute to the flag's purpose. They serve to honor a person's beliefs, values, and sacrifice (Block, 2020). They remind citizens, from children to adults, that what the person in question achieved is not only admirable, but more people should aspire to be like them. Putting the confederate generals' monuments into context represents the achievements of injustice, inequality, violence, and slavery. They represent the unjust but economic ideas that America needs slaves to thrive and that white people are superior. For that reason, if America is to make progress in terms of racism, these moments should be removed (Block, 2020). Children should grow up learning that not all principles are right. They should be taught to embrace the fact that their ancestors made several mistakes but what matters more is not the past but what they make of the present and the future.
On the bright side, most people are in the aforementioned category of those who are already there. The Mississippi flag removal is a perfect case study (Zakaria, a, 2020). Mississippi was arguably the most racist state in the South. The reign of white supremacists oversaw the deaths and assault of so many African Americans. While there is a new generation of white and black people, the flag was one of the few reminders of the blood that was shed in the South. A referendum meant to replace the flag failed in 2001, but in 2020, Mississippi citizens voted to remove the confederate-themed flag. Further, there was no "white backlash" in Mississippi or from other states (Zakaria, a, 2020). Similarly, the US House of Representatives voted to remove statues honoring people who were part of the Confederacy in the civil war. Most people embraced the removal of General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" statue in Richmond Monument Avenue.
The removal of the Mississippi flag and the Confederate statues is an indication that Americans are coming to terms with the gory details of their past and, more so, realizing that they have to atone for the sins of their ancestors. Another example is the Black Lives Matter movement, which comprises a large section of white Americans, unlike the civil rights movement. The fight against racism is no longer a white-against-black movement; it is one of humanity against inhumanity (Zakaria, b, 2020). However, removing flags and monuments does not mean taking away America's history. In fact, it is the opposite. Contradictory monuments like those of confederate generals should not be discarded entirely. They should be placed in places like a museum where they are surrounded by context, and all who see them understand both sides of the story. America must come to terms with the fact that although the founding fathers created the great country's bedrock, some were also racist and slave owners.
History needs to be taken in context, while regarding the achievements of political figures, people must also acknowledge and condemn their vices (Zakaria, b, 2020). Going back to the side of people who are not yet ready to overcome racism, the primary reason for this is ignorance. Some Americans have a hard time embracing the reality of their history, and it is reflected in how they handle their present. The coronavirus, like racism, requires unity among Americans to be overcome. Unfortunately, due to ignorance, misinformation, or blatant arrogance, people are crowding in political and social gatherings without personal protective equipment. To make matters worse, the idea of putting on masks for one's safety is a debate. Although incredibly politicized, the fight against racism is more social than it is political. It is more emotional than it is vocal. To fully realize King's dream, Americans need to forgive, love, understand, and embrace each other.
References
Block, Melissa. (2020). Push To Remove Confederate Monuments Opens Debate On Other
Honored Historical Figures. [Audio]. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/07/02/886503966/push-to-remove-confederate-monuments-opens-debate-on-other-honored-historical-fi
Zakaria, Fareed. (2020). Has America Reached a Turning Point on Race? [Video]. CNN.
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/07/03/exp-gps-0705-a-blk-naftali-gordon-reed-race.cnn
Zakaria, Fareed. (2020). Honoring the Past Without Overlooking Racism. [Video]. CNN.
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/07/03/exp-gps-0705-gordon-reed-naftali-on-historical-figures-with-racist-legacies.cnn
