We rethink the week with Rick Newman, lobbyist and former NH state representative; Dean Spiliotis, Civic Scholar and Presidential Scholar at Southern New Hampshire University; and Will Wilkenson, VP of The Niskanen Center.
DO BLACK LIVES MATTER IN OUR COUNTRY?
We discuss the horrendous murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, and the national reaction to it. Yet again, most Americans are appalled that another such police killing has occurred. As we saw so many times before, thousands of people have poured their hearts out — on news programs, on social media, and in the streets — denouncing racism, opposing police brutality, and pleading for equal treatment of all Americans regardless of the color of their skin.
To date, outpourings such as these have not led to an end to these racial killings. Can’t we make this time be the last time? Can’t this be the pivotal moment, at long last? Perhaps we have a better chance of success now, because COVID-19 has so starkly revealed the inequalities pervading American economic and social life.
We ask ourselves whether we would have done anything to stop the murder if we had been present at the scene. Much as our moral selves would like to believe that we would at least try to help, most of us are either afraid for our safety if we “get involved” or we lack the confidence that we can correctly discern what is the right thing to do. Will that change now?
Would such change be more likely if we had some inspired — and inspiring — leadership that we could follow? Sure, Pres. Trump is the 180-degree opposite of positive leadership. But to whom can we look instead? Who will speak to us with moral clarity? Who will demonstrate perseverance and intestinal fortitude? Who can we trust to act in the best interest of our country and not just in his or her own self-serving interests?
Could such a person get elected under our current system? What is a message that can unite us and not just divide us? What will resonate with most people and not trigger too many people, or just shut their minds down? Can we stop the influence of dark money and voter suppression? Can we hold elections that won’t force us to choose between our right to vote and our health (or our very lives)?
We have no choice. We have to make it happen. NOW!
