What’s good peeps? Happy New Year. I hope that everyone is well and safe throughout the pandemic. The Christmas to New Year time period is always a weird one because it feels like one long ass day, but this one has been a bit different than other years. I really don’t know where to begin, but we’ll begin somewhere.
Although there’s it seems like there’s always race related conversations these days, they have definitely picked back up again in America and in Ireland. Race is a conversation that makes people uncomfortable and rightfully so. White people have never had to suffer slavery, persecution and discrimination on the same levels that black people have, and in many aspects still face today. I don’t know if people are choosing to be willfully ignorant or just really don’t understand, but I need you to open your eyes and ears because it’s about damn time. We’ll start with the events that happened in Ireland on Dec. 30th, 2020. Americans reading this will know this story all too well unfortunately; a mentally ill black man named George Nkencho was shot and killed by police in front of his home. George had a knife and was said to be swinging it at the police before he was shot 3 times and killed.
Now, the response to this one was very interesting because there aren’t many situations of this magnitude in Ireland. But, it did show me a lot about how Irish people perceive racism. Since I’ve been here, I’ve frequently heard the phrase “This doesn’t happen in Ireland. It’s not America”. Every time I hear someone say that, my facial expressions vary, depending on my mood. I”ll probably rub some people wrong with this next statement, but truthfully, I really don’t give a shit. Y’all know me well enough to know that I’m a straight shooter when it comes to these things. Irish people need to stop dancing around racism with their “Irish-ness” (you know EXACTLY what I mean). Racism is alive and well in this country and if you think it doesn’t, you’re just being ignorant. I’ve experienced it many a time here, most recently at my own job before the break. Racism is systematic. The murder of George Nkencho was race based no matter how you try and spin it and I’ll break it down for you, so if you’re white and Irish please pay close attention.
For centuries, blackness has been seen as a threat to society. We can go as far back as slavery, picking cotton, lynchings, etc. where black people were seen as threatening because they were a different skin color, but their physiques were superior to those of white people. This unknown fear that white people had of black people back then developed into what we see today when it comes to how white people perceive black people. When it comes to getting a job, articles written in the media, or even police responses to certain situations, racism is prevalent. You ever notice that even when a black person is shot and killed by police, the media will try and dig up information on any prior criminal offences or flaunt their mugshot if they have one? This is what I mean by racism is systematic and that’s only ONE example in the thousands that there are.
The murder of George Nkencho was no different. People were trying to justify his death by saying that since he was swinging a knife at the cops and was threatening them, he deserved what he got. I need you to hush. Reports say there were double digit officers surrounding him when the confrontation started. Reports said that there was a long standoff between him and the officers. Reports ALSO said, as reported by his family, that he was suffering with mental health illness. Now, with all these factors, why did this man deserve to die? He didn’t. But he did because he was black. For those that scoffed at that, just relax for a minute, I’m not done. There’s been reports over the years of the white men in Ireland threatening police with knives who have left with their lives. Shit, there was that situation in Citywest where homeboy had a sub machine gun and ran up into the mall and even HE left alive. And I’m sure there are many more examples, but you should get the point and if you don’t that’s on you. George Nkencho died because he was a black man. Black people have been deemed as threatening for years and because racism is a systematic issue, he lost his life. The bottom line is that skin color makes a difference on how the situation is perceived and subsequently dealt with.
If you need another example of white privilege look no further than the events that happened YESTERDAY on Jan. 6th, 2021. Can’t even believe I’m going to talk about this shit, but that lets you know where we are as a society. Pro – Trump supporters, who are mostly white, stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. while Congress was certifying the election results for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Now I could be wrong about this, but I feel like most government buildings in any country would have enhanced security and police presence, no? This happened in the US, a country that has a powerful military and police presence, and in a city where it would be the most prevalent because that’s where the President resides. However, somehow these white people were able to storm that building. The multiple pictures of the guys sitting in the seats in Congress, a guy smiling while picking up a podium that has the U.S. symbol with the eagle, the videos of people shouting “Wooo!!” like Ric Flair as they’re leaving the building, or even the video of the white lady being helped down the Capitol steps by an officer in riot gear, are all examples of white privilege.
There’s no comparison to BLM protests. One is protesting systematic oppression and the killing of unarmed black men and women at the hands of police. The other group were “protesting” because they didn’t get their way. They don’t want Trump to lose his power because that means that they can’t flaunt their racism like they used to. Or maybe they will? Who knows at this point. The one thing that can be compared though is the police response to this situation. It was domestic terrorism, plain and simple. They weren’t met with riot gear until AFTER the situation had escalated and they were already inside the building. But google some black lives matter protests. Google Ferguson, NYC, Baltimore, Kenosha and you’ll see how police show up in riot gear for a peaceful protest because they see blackness as threatening. It never has and never will be this way for white people and until you can fully understand that and open your eyes to the privilege that your skin color gives you, then you’re apart of the problem.
Racism makes those who don’t experience it on a daily basis uncomfortable when the subject is brought up and I do understand why. That bubble life is real. It’s hard hearing and understanding the concept of something that doesn’t directly affect you. Although you may understand to some extent, you will never fully grasp what it’s like because you’re white. Simple as that. So when a black person comes and tells you that the issue is racially motivated, believe them. Ten times out of ten we’re not making that up. Don’t dismiss it just because you’re tired of hearing about race or what is done to keep black people down. Do your part. Black people shouldn’t have to continue to educate white people about racism. It’s exhausting. And honestly, I’m exhausted having these conversations. I’ll leave you with this example and then I’ll go. If I slapped you in the face and you told me it hurt, but I was like “Nah, I’ll keep slapping you because I don’t think it does. I feel like you’re making that pain up” how would you feel? Think about it.
Just because it’s not blatant racism doesn’t mean it’s not racism.
Peace and blessings.
CB
Conroy's Cosy Corner 