The Redlining Factor

De facto segregation existed in most American cities during the dark days of Jim Crow, with the effects felt today.

It is a separation of people based on housing patterns or restrictions, customs, choice, or institutional racism rather than law. (1) It was upheld by those in power with harsh penalties for anyone who dared defy the system. It is also deeply rooted in geography or discrimination on a geographical basis.

Redlining played a major role in De facto segregation, denying African Americans the right to buy a home wherever they chose. It confined blacks to a particular area as banks refused to give them mortgages and shaded in red predominantly black communities on city maps, indicating they would be turned down by a traditional lending institution. It also prevented Black homeowners from getting home improvement loans, and the value of their property was often deflated when they tried to sell or move up the social ladder. It was common practice in the North as a covert form of discrimination with federal backing, and caused black Americans to lose out on decades of generational wealth,which  comes with home ownership.

In the South, whites relied on overt measures, in addition to redlining, to keep blacks out of their communities, such as lynching, physical assaults, intimidation, and death. It was a sad and often regular occurrence until Congress passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which banned discrimination in the housing market, including who a tenant may choose to rent to. However, the damage had been done.

In many instances, redlining resulted in ghettos or poor inner-city neighborhoods. The value of homes often plummeted as homeowners found it difficult to borrow money for upkeep, sometimes falling prey to shady loan deals or rent-to-own schemes. Also, African Americans who were lucky relocated to the suburbs, leaving behind the less fortunate. As a result, black students attended segregated schools or were bused to areas less welcoming. In later years, food deserts emerged as once-proud bodegas and corner markets closed their doors, and chain stores and strip malls shied away from the areas. It was common practice across the country in so-called blighted communities.

Lastly, de facto segregation, strengthened by redlining, impacted rural areas particularly hard. In the 1970s, an African American businessman and future mayor of a predominantly black community in Southwest Georgia, voiced his concerns on the local radio station about how black neighborhoods were less developed than the white ones.  Many lacked tree-lined streets, paved roads, sidewalks, parks, or streetlights for safety. And to add insult to injury, scores older homes were constructed without indoor plumbing with residents relying on outhouses or outdoor toilets.

As a result, a law was passed that mandated homes within the city limits be equipped with an indoor toilet, sink, and bathtub. Landlords often attached small rooms on the back of older homes as a solution that could be entered from inside or the back porch. The dirt roads disappeared during the Funk and Disco era, but the sidewalks never materialized. 

Sources: 

1. Google 

 

It Would be Difficult to Replace Biden, Who Deserves the Nomination

In the past, political bosses picked their party's nominees for president even after the advent of the primary system. This was to ensure the best possible man, as it were at the time, would get the job if there was no agreed-upon candidate or the convention deadlocked. It could mean as many as thirty or more ballots were cast before a leader was deemed suitable to those involved in the time-consuming process. Sometimes, it bore fruit, and at others, it didn't. 

In the 1960 Democratic presidential primaries, John F. Kennedy aspired to win as many primaries as possible to prevent a brokered convention. He enlisted his brother, Bobby, to keep his delegates in line or loyal to him and poached other delegates from rival candidates. After winning his party nomination, Kennedy narrowly defeated Vice President Richard Nixon in the general election.

Eight years later, in 1968, following the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, Vice President Hubert Humphrey was awarded the Democratic nomination. Humphrey had not competed in the primaries, and Senator Gene McCarthy held the delegate lead, likely after picking up Kennedy defectors. Humphrey lost a nail-biter to former Vice President Richard Nixon on election night in November.

Finally, in 1976, President Ford nearly lost the Republican nomination to Governor Ronald Reagan of California, even though he accumulated more delegates while campaigning in the states that held primaries and caucuses. Ford suffered a narrow defeat to Jimmy Carter, an unknown governor from Georgia. 

It would be difficult to pull this off today or replace Biden since the rules are stricter, and he has met the delegate threshold.  If I am not mistaken, the Democratic delegates are bound to the presumptive nominee, or what is a closed convention. 

Male Bonding

 Men need male companionship no matter how hard they try to avoid it.  A woman is his wife, sister, mother, aunt, or partner.  She is not intended to be his buddy, homeboy, or someone he can discuss women's issues with or hang out with. 

Boys form pivotal relationships, some lasting a lifetime or in spirit. It is a rite of passage for young men on their path to manhood.

The black barbershop has survived for this reason. It is a sacred place where black men fellowship or air their differences. They get a fresh cut and feel they belong. Some come without needing the barber's service and depart better than when they entered.  

The church, lodges, fraternities, nightclubs, colleges, and other hangouts provided similar services, strengthening the Civil Rights Movement.

Men need friends or the proper male companion, whether someone in the community, a son, or a long-lost buddy. I learned this growing up or being around guys my age at work or in the community. Having friends, and someone to talk to or ask a favor makes life easier and a joy to be alive.

We all Matter

Everyone has a story. Don't overlook anyone or think they have nothing to contribute or bold to say.

Ordinary Americans participated in the Civil Rights Movement. They were Sharecroppers, like Fannie Lou Hamer, or a retired soldier, such as Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was murdered protecting his mother and grandfather from racist state patrolmen.

I hate it when people don't see or go out of their way to avoid me because of my status in their eyes. They think they are better based on their assets. They should get to know the man behind the glasses or simple clothes.  

I am delighted, however, when a beautiful woman or upscale guy speaks or says hello.  It shows positive home training or someone who did not put themselves on a pedestal.

Whitewashing

The whitewashing of history is a strategy that dates back to the post-Civil War period. It involves attempts to omit the contributions of Black people in fields such as Science, Math, medicine, and other areas. Additionally, it seeks to rewrite the past in favor of white individuals by downplaying the effects of Slavery, Jim Crow laws, and racism.  This includes banning the teaching of subjects in schools that shed light on the struggles faced by people of color at the hands of their oppressors, as well as highlighting their resilience as a community.

Gaslighting is a key component of whitewashing as it relates to African Americans. It is blaming black people for their lot in society or any cruelty they experience in a culture that views them as less than. In simple terms, it is "flipping the script." For example, if an unarmed black man is shot in the back while fleeing the police, a biased legal system may criticize him for being afraid, without considering whether he would receive fair treatment in court.

Black people and like-minded individuals must reveal the truth and keep our story alive. This may involve building our own schools, calling out bigots, and holding wrongdoers accountable. Doing nothing is not an option; we have a rich history, and we are making significant contributions today. We must be prepared, Black people; we have important work to do. 

Biden V. Trump: Round Two

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have emerged as their party's nominees for the 2024 presidential election, with no contender on the horizon. Trump's remaining opponent recently dropped out, virtually assuring he will be the Republican choice in the Fall with a sizable delegate lead. Biden also lacks a formidable challenger among Democrats and has accumulated big wins in the primaries. The question is which candidate can convince the American people to support them for four more years in office, similar to the 1892 election, which featured an ex-president challenging a sitting commander-in-chief for reelection.

As for President Biden, the economy has grown at a rate not seen in fifty years despite being hampered by inflation, which could work against him. Record-low unemployment, rising wages, and a booming stock market have put a strain on the supply chain,  weakened by the COVID-19 shutdown, and have eroded Americans' purchasing power. Greed has also played a role, as the marketplace is dominated by a handful of corporate giants who raise prices with impunity. Even though the cost of eggs has tumbled, the same can't be said for meat, poultry, and other staples. The price of gasoline has also trended upward, along with the prices of clothes, cars, and dining out.  Moreover, renters are paying as much as thirty percent of their income on a place to live amid a national housing crisis. The construction of new homes has lagged far behind demand, and corporations are snapping up available property in many communities, which has the administration deeply concerned.

Aside from the economy, the Biden Administration is confronted with concerns over Israel, Ukraine, and African Americans reportedly abandoning the party in droves. A growing number of Democrats are convinced Benjamin Netanyahu has gone too far in his pursuit of Hamas, causing the death of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including widespread destruction of property. They fault the administration for not doing enough to halt the violence. 

It is believed that the war in Ukraine will not hurt the president's chances as much as possibly losing the black vote. Support among African Americans has dropped by thirty percent in most polls over voting rights, the economy, and a general belief that the White House has not done enough to address their concerns, even though they voted him into office. The Biden Administration is working on ways to bridge the gap among African American voters, like reaching out to black radio stations. If not, it could result in one of the most lopsided turnouts by people of color for Democrats since the 1950s.

However, there is a major issue that could work in the president's favor. The Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down Roe v. Wade has galvanized women and progressives, as the conservative-leaning court was viewed as caving to right-wing pressure. Following the historic ruling, Democrats maintained control of the Senate by adding seats in the 2022 midterm elections but suffered significant losses in the House. The party also scored victories in key local races. Biden warned the high court in the 2024 State of the Union that women would come for them in the Fall. 

Meanwhile, Trump is attempting to become the second president in U.S. history to serve two non-consecutive terms. Although he is leading in polls, nothing can be taken for granted.

Trump is haunted by a past that Americans, including his own party, are having a hard time getting past. Memories of COVID-19 are fresh in the minds of millions, and the January 6th insurrection, which many viewed as a threat to Democracy. As a result, the former president scores poorly among independents, which could cost him crucial votes in the battleground states. Moreover, a large share of Americans, including Republicans, are fed up with Trump's antics or tendency to go off the rails and simply want to move forward if it means throwing their support behind Biden.

In addition to his weakened image, Trump's legal issues have Americans wondering whether he could hold office if convicted, or if they can stomach a felon serving in the White House. White Republicans with a four-year college degree or higher think not, while GOP voters with a high school diploma or less seem to not mind. They worry re-electing him could send the wrong message to young people and hurt the nation's image abroad. Thus, many of the Grand Old Party plan to write in another candidate or stay home on election day. 

Despite his mounting negatives, Trump could capitalize on the crisis at the Southern border that has Americans worried. Immigrants from Central America and parts of Mexico have crowded American cities, putting a strain on services and causing tension with locals, notably African Americans. Southern Republican governors have strongly criticized the current president on this issue despite the former president encouraging the GOP to block a plan in Congress that might have curtailed the problem. If Trump can gain traction on immigration amid a stalemate on Capitol Hill, it could flip votes in close states. 

Other issues that might benefit Trump include Biden's age, which has created waves in the press, the housing crisis, and other concerns that may not be the fault of the current commander-in-chief.

In November, we will see which man will lead the country for the next four years. 

Shirley Chishlom

Racism is so universal in

this country, so

widespread, and

deep-seated, that it is

invisible because it is so

normal.