America is at a crossroads. Will the rule of law and the exercise of authority remain tenets of American democracy? Our system is being challenged and tested. The current divides in the United States are wider, perhaps than anytime in the history of this nation.
The tragedy in Dallas, the demonstrations in several cities, economic unrest, failed educational systems, race relations, fears about immigration, and external threats such as ISIS have spread both fear and hate throughout the land. Challenging and factual realities. Issues, unfortunately, not new to the U.S.
In 1968 the Kerner Report was released. This report was the result of a National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders.
Reading the Kerner Report today, some 48 years after it was issued, vividly demonstrates the same root causes of lawlessness remain and the rebellion against authority has been acerbated. The assassination of five Dallas officers threatens the rule of law and may lead to a road of anarchy. The thin blue line is the primary division between democracy, freedom, and anarchy.
Perhaps the starkest finding emanating from the Kerner Report was, “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.” This fact is even more prevalent in America over four decades later.
In 1967, there were riots in Newark and Detroit primarily in July. In 2016 the unrest and violence appear more pervasive on a national basis. Baltimore has had and continued to have its spate of violence and homicide. The Kerner Report stated, “Violence cannot build a better society. Disruption and disorder nourish repression, not justice. They strike at the freedom of every citizen.”
The patterns of disorder in 1967 were very much like the patterns of disorder today. This fact is disturbing considering the money and efforts spent over some 40 years to address the root causes of the unrest then and now. The most deeply held grievances then were police practices, unemployment and underemployment, and inadequate housing. Also listed were the inadequacy of municipal services and discriminatory consumer and credit practices. The
Kerner Report noted that “Race prejudice has shaped our history decisively; it now threatens to affect our future.” The report continued, “A new mood has sprung up among Negroes, particularly among the young, in which self-esteem and enhanced racial pride has replaced apathy and submission to ‘the system.’”
Today, empowerment must be added to this list. The racial divide has certainly grown in the U.S. It is disturbing that foreign countries are now issuing travel warnings to citizens planning to visit the United States.
Domestic politics has been shaken by the unrest in this nation. Protests may well increase voter participation in the November national election. With the election just four months away, the nation will be listening and watching for the reactions of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. There is a real need for leadership in this country, not just at election time, but immediately.
The current situation in this nation must be adequately and effectively addressed before more unrest continues to erupt on a daily basis. With the attacks on police authority, a vacuum has been created that could entice recruitment and action by terrorist groups awaiting additional opportunities to harm the United States, and its citizens, on our own soil. This issue surely needs attention from the two presidential candidates. Rather than name calling and negativism, the time has arrived to seriously address the racial divide and attacks on authority in addition to the many other foreign and domestic issues facing this country. We are, indeed, at a crisis point that has many components and dimensions.
If gridlock continues in Congress, the nation will continue in turmoil and stagnation. No longer is it acceptable to hear the same old rhetoric from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. Too much hot air and too many promises never fulfilled have brought this nation to the brink.
The national media and various forms of social media have been complicit in the worsening of racial tension and unrest. Twenty-four-hour news cycles and ill-prepared reporters only add to the polarization of the nation. Responsible journalism and accurate reporting are essential when informing the public.
Accurately reported facts are one thing, speculating and editorializing on in the media another.
This year our nation has changed forever. Demographic change, generational change, economic change, and many other fundamental changes in our society have emerged to create a perfect storm.
With this perfect storm coming in the later part of a presidential election year, these significant issues will challenge political candidates and voters alike.
America is still the leader of the free world, an economic power, and the oldest existing democracy. The time has arrived for the nation to prove these American attributes are alive and well.
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