In response to: Do you think these historical events, rules, and laws still impact our society today? What are your thoughts after viewing these videos?
There's no denying that there are still impacts today from the country's history of racist acts. It's abundantly clear how the events explained in these videos would spark systemic and cyclical disparities within our society. Viewing all this was challenging and overwhelming. There was a lot that I didn't know about what happened in other parts of the country, and I am sickened to know all of this. I have been taught to assume positive intent always, but I can't understand how our country's former (and current) leaders can make calls that seem to so clearly have a negative intent on so many people of color. And for what reason? And there's no going back and undoing it. We can't travel back in time to make these events not happen, and I'm so at a loss for what we can do to impact the racist systems in place from events and policies from years ago.
I'm reminded of the anti-desegration of schools that went through Seattle and how there is a clear connection between the white people (I am one) fighting desegration and winning...and then the clear change in numbers in schools and neighborhoods to become more isolated again by race. Is desegration the answer? Is affirmative action the answer? I support both of these things to purposely make things more accessible and diverse...especially in lieu of a better suggestion. To respond to your post, maybe a simple first step is to listen to Black people and all the people who have been historically affected by these things instead of deciding as white people what the answer is. [I'm thinking aloud alongside you, not criticizing- I have far to go].
I absolutely agree with you!
The historical laws, rules and events are absolutely still impacting our society today. Families need to feel safe and I am sure pass down stories and survival strategies they learned. There is deep rooted biases, generalizations and ignorance still deeply rooted in people that they may not even be aware of. I think until more people heal, more people educated and choose to create new paths for themselves and their beliefs, these historical events will continue to haunt our nation.