Racial equality? Time to kill five sacred cows.

In the wake of the local, national and now global protests over police brutality in the wake of the George Floyd killing, the people of the USA are now grappling with how to accomplish a task that has eluded politicians and the black community for the better part two centuries. How to correct the systemic inequities that have burdened our country for too long. 

While I am, for full disclosure, a white male and I cannot fully appreciate or understand the turmoil of the black experience, I have worked in the black filmmaking world developing African American based projects for the better part of two decades now and feel I have a genuine understanding of the issues facing their community. My heart was crushed while watching the video of Floyd’s life being taken from him needlessly – the sheer heartlessness of the act seems incomprehensible except for the specter of acts like 911 and Auschwitz reminding us all of the occasional depravity of the human heart. I stand with communities of color in this moment to condemn the lack of mercy shown to Floyd. At this point, there is no doubt. Something needs to change.

Admittedly, while the cost was high, I feel great hope that now – finally – change can and will happen. I was amazed at the protest response – not from the black community – but from the white community standing with them. White people standing up to say “These are our friends and neighbors. Our fellow human beings.” For all the talk about systemic racism, it is obvious there is a vast swath of American society that is ready and finally willing to address inequities in a real and tangible way.

Rather than post a lengthy article with lots of thought process and journalistic endeavor, I’m going to give a brief, bullet point list and leave it at that. I think these things are the “Big Five”. They are sacred cows, there is no doubt of that. We all know these paths are fraught with politics and money interests. Too bad. We’ve got the ability to change and we should. The time is right.

Do we really want to help solve the problem of institutional racism in America? Then do these things. Full stop. No excuses.

1.    Radically re-imagine policing. I think the wave of thought as of this writing that would de-fund police departments across the country definitely has merit, if the money is spent the right way. Although it is probably the fastest way to a radically new outcome, de-funding and starting from scratch might not be necessary. I believe passing legislation neutering the power of the unions and removing all protections for police who perpetrate needless violence would make a tremendous difference. Force police to be accountable when they make stupid decisions. Take away the riot gear for all but the most necessary circumstances. Create legislation that encourages cops to speak up when they see wrongs committed. The truth is, the problem is the with the heart and the culture of policing in general. So many videos have shows an utter disregard for human life that it’s shocking. I don’t know all the answers, so in this category I say “whatever works”.

2.    Take the school budgets for each state and divide them equally by the number of schools in the state – no more “rich school/poor school” syndrome. I realize this is another sacred cow but it must be sacrificed to affect real change. Communities of color need to feel they are valued and there is hope beyond poorer neighborhoods and second class citizenry. Maybe those rich white kids in the subs need to learn a little about the civic structure that has helped create/sustain the problem of systemic racism in the first place and how their school system participates in exacerbating inequalities.

3.    Go through the federal and state welfare systems and rip out stuff that attacks and devalues the family structure preventing people from escaping poverty. Example? The idea that if there is a two income family (a husband and wife, for instance) that welfare is curtailed or not given at all because of perceived “income limits”. I cannot fathom how often this single thing must prevent communities of color from getting out of poverty. Gear all welfare programs towards helping people actually move above the poverty line so they no longer need welfare to begin with. Stop incentivizing women in poverty to have children they cannot afford. I’m no expert – but the welfare system is probably littered with rules that are counter-productive. This is systemic, built-in racism.

4.    Make all trade schools and two year colleges free to everyone and give students a financial incentive to get good grades and finish by leaving them with no student debt if they do well. If you are a screw-up and don’t take the opportunity seriously? You’re going to have student debt. This will have far reaching positive benefits to our society.

5.    Create a grant system for people with incomes of under $100,000 that allows them to purchase property via a contract for deed with a 5 year period allowing them the chance to build up to a traditional purchase. The grant part would be $25,000 set aside to be used for a down payments, insurance, closing costs, etc. if they make their payments on time for the 5 year period and treat the property with respect. If they destroy the property and can’t seem to make the payments, they forfeit the $25,000 and it will be used to fix the house back up so it can be sold again. If every state set aside $1B a year (half from federal, half from the state) we could fund 40,000 home purchases a year with an emphasis on communities of color. Part of the proceeds of the mortgage could come back to the state to pay back that $25K plus, say 10% straight interest. This would be near-guaranteed sales five years in for most people. Over time the program would pay for itself or break even.

Some of these things are pretty pie-in-the-sky and they could initially appear to be “liberal” in nature but they are really not. Yes, they require public investment but the end result will be upwardly mobile communities that will positively impact consumer spending - a direct line between “help” and “capitalism”. A large and thriving middle class will go a long ways towards solving racial inequities. These are ways of the American society finally giving communities of color dignity and opportunity.

Think about that. Dignity and opportunity. These are radical ideas that the American experiment was supposed to excel at but has instead failed a large percentage of its citizens. I think the idea of America is still very powerful. We can make it work, if we have the will to do it.

Keep peacefully protesting until things change.