White extremists, hate, racism, prejudices, discrimination and bigotry are cancers destroying our nation from within.
It is not enough for White Americans to sympathize, mourn and pray for the victims of hate crimes caused by White extremists. We African Americans need the full support of White Americans — all Americans — to tackle hate and racism. We need the same love and unequivocal support that White Americans have for Black music, Black fashion, Black athletes, Black celebrities and Black culture to combat the undercurrent of racism infecting our country.
Violence in this country is not isolated to African Americans. In fact, violence is homogeneous to people of the same race, meaning you are more likely to be killed by a member of your own race than by interracial violence. When White extremists commit violence against African Americans, it is not due to mental illness or some developmental disease that impairs their cognitive abilities. The actions of White extremists are the results of unchecked hate, racism, conspiracy theories, learned behaviors, cultural intolerance, racist innuendos and inflammatory hyperbole perpetuated through various media platforms.
The calling cards for White extremists are legally purchased high-powered assault rifles or a cache of other weapons, unlimited ammunition, military-grade body armor and camouflage paraphernalia. Our erratic and inconsistent gun laws from state to state help perpetuate a never-ending cycle of violence.
We are way past the time to address meaningful gun reform in this country. This is no longer a conversation between rivaling political parties. Gun violence is a disease destroying our country, and everyday Americans are tired. We must institute a national gun law standard that will bring uniformity, conformity and accountability to the Second Amendment. No civilized society should have as many unaccounted-for weapons of mass destruction as America does floating around.
We can do better! We must do better!
Free speech was not meant to protect and harbor radical racist extremists and shield domestic terrorism. We are not ignorant of the threat of White extremists. These individuals are not hiding in some underground bunker, waiting to launch a surprise attack. These individuals are in plain sight; they are openly living within our communities without the fear of persecution or prosecution. History has shown us that White extremists are not some harmless uncouth family member or neighbor that White Americans feel is harmless. We must eradicate racism whenever it rears its ugly head and challenges those who choose to spread its poison. But the fight to eliminate racism is not on African Americans; it is the collective responsibility of White Americans, too.
America must shed the stench of its original sin by eradicating racism!
Terrell A. Williams
Democratic candidate for 9th Representative District
Middletown
