Moving Forward Together Against Racism

As published by the Chicago Tribune, July 24, 2020 by William J. Booker

Racism has hurt America in many ways, from policing our citizens, to housing and voting, to someone simply taking a jog. And although we appear to be moving backwards as a nation, in many ways, we are also moving forward towards racial tolerance. 

"If Trump was not president, the conversations we have about race and racism, infecting this country like a virus of its own, might be a mute talking-point."

It is because the majority of Americans agree that racism is a horrible thing, and that something needs to be done to root it out of institutions and expose people who perpetuate racism, and promote hate; that better days are ahead of us. 

"In the wake of the death of Civil Rights leader, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, America is moving forward together, and against symbols of hate." 

Gone are the days of honoring Confederate generals, or taking pride in the flag of the Confederacy for no good reasons. We no longer value racist opinions, or views no matter who it's coming from, whether the name of a football team, the views of a well-known celebrity, or the name brand of maple syrup; times are changing and history will judge us on how we respond to this moment. 

We are a nation of people who will no longer stand for the killing of unarmed people of color by the police under any circumstances. And it would appear that the whole world is in agreement with us. As crazy as it may sound, America is going through a metamorphosis and a purge at the same time, and will become a much better place despite the president's divisive, and shameful attempts to stoke the flames of hatred and cultural divide.

Single Parents Struggle Financially Amid Pandemic

As Published by the Chicago Sun-Times July 9, 2020

As the staggering number of unemployed Americans continues to rise due to business closures, the financial struggles for single parents have been hit the hardest, though most Americans are experiencing some form of financial hardship because of the covid-19 pandemic. 

"Single mothers and fathers are having a particularly difficult time providing even the basic necessities for their children beyond just daily meals due to many non-custodial parents being out of work." 

From diapers to pull-ups, and washing detergent, to over-the-counter medications and hygiene products, the financial challenges single parents are facing today are tremendous, and without some kind of support from friends, love ones, or neighbors, many single parents are in despair and having to cope with a great deal of emotional stress as a result. 

Parking tickets, an expired driver's license or even a badly needed car repair can devastate a very low income single-parent household these days. And while the troubling effects of this new norm will undoubtedly take some navigating to overcome, it has put an extra burden on mothers who are typically the caregivers for their children, and see a second round of stimulus to be the only hope for surviving the fallout from COVID-19.

Black Lives Matter Powerful Reckoning

As Published by the Chicago Sun-Times, July 7, 2020

I was watching a discussion about Black Lives Matter on the TV program “The View” and it dawned on me that some people really believe the BLM movement will someday end. Allow me to clear up a few false assumptions. Black Lives Matter won’t ever end. Public support for the movement has increased steadily over the years, since the fatal shootings of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown to the deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

"As long as racism and racists exist, threatening the lives and livelihood of Black people, the BLM movement, which has transcended globally, will continue to thrive."

BLM is not a fad political statement. It is not some bill waiting to be passed by Congress. BLM is a proclamation, made by the emergence of liberated, socially conscious and economically empowered group of people who refuse to allow this country to further systematically kill, imprison, terrorize, marginalize or oppress Black people. BLM is unequivocally the beginning of a modern-day Renaissance. 

It will define the future of this country for generations to come — for all people.

As crazy as it may sound, America is going through a metamorphosis and purge at the same time. History will be rewritten, and America will become a much better place despite the president’s divisive and shameful attempts to stoke the flames of hatred and cultural divide.

William J. Booker

Founder of Black Men Matter

Chicago