Divide and Conquer

There are a racist philosophy and practice, in America, that is powerful and very effective. The goal of this philosophy and practice is to keep the victims of racism fighting separate battles in their attempt to end their victimization.

There is a serious racist movement taking place at the American and Mexican border. However, the racist hide their racism by calling it illegal immigration. Donald Trump has even said there are too many people coming to America from “shit-hole” countries like Haiti and Africa. He went on to say we need more people to come to America from places like Norway.

After the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico it left the island looking like a war zone. Since Puerto Ricans are Americans one would expect FEMA to rush all the necessary equipment, supplies, and people to Puerto Rico to put the island back on his feet. The predominately white communities in Florida and Texas that were also devastated by Hurricane Maria were taking care of immediately. The reason the Trump administration gave for being so slow getting help to Puerto Rico was that Puerto Rico is an island and not on the mainland. I’m guessing they were implying that since Puerto Rico is an island, sending equipment, supplies, and people to the island would be difficult. I find that reason or excuse hard to accept because America has had no problem sending the same equipment, supplies, and people for the rebuilding of Iraq and Iraq is much harder to get to, from America, than Puerto Rico. The same applies to Venezuela.  

These excuses are used to divide and conquer. What people of color must realize is that we are all victims of racism and the racist power structure uses these excuses to make us feel we are experiencing different problems. However, the truth is we are experiencing the same problem which is we are not white. The one thing that the African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Haitians, and Mexicans all have in common is that they are all people of color. By giving each group a different reason for their victimization it prevents them from joining forces. While Puerto Ricans are holding press conferences about America’s lack of support, the Mexicans are protesting the crackdown on immigration. At the same time, people of color from other nations are finding it more difficult to enter America and African-Americans have been fighting for their freedom and equality since 1617.

As long as we think we are addressing different issues the racist continues to be successful. Again I say, all people of color have the same problem which is they are not white. Our so-called “community leaders” appear to be following the script written by the racist power structure. They should be bringing us together but instead, they keep us fighting separate battles. That racist power structure donates to the groups and organizations of these so-called “community leaders” so that the separation can continue. If people of color were to join forces some of the so-called “community leaders” would have to give up their lucrative positions because there can only be one chief. The phrase “the south will rise again” is a dog whistle for “the confederacy will rise again.” The goal of this racist philosophy and practice is to divide and conquer and it’s working.