Columbus (the great testing center) represents the quintessential cross-section of America….in other words if it can’t happen here it can’t happen anywhere, right?
Now I won’t bore you with all of the inadequacies of that proposition. Rather, I’d prefer you test your own moral fortitude on the issue(s) of race and keep your own scorecard and decide whether or not we’re as honest and as real about the issues of race as many would have you believe. It strikes me odd that there are so many people who want to dismiss the argument, when in fact expert outsiders take a look at our city and see it (with their wealth of national and international experience) for what it really is. Believe me the argument isn’t going away.
While many argue that the Moss boys (Wild-Bill Moss and Jesse- James Moss) are outdated outlaws who are merely trying to fuel the flickering embers that remain from the fires of civil rights ghosts from a by-gone era. Others are beginning to question whether or not there is any legitimacy to their arguments. Have we come a long way? On the surface it would appear so. However, with a more critical and discriminating look perhaps, just perhaps you can’t read this book by its cover. So while I watch and listen I see who is most often directing the argument to kill the race issue. Not surprisingly it is seldom folks who look like me. And the ones who do look like me who espouse these sentiments usually are doing it to protect or maintain their own positions, or are trying to front for or impress some member of the white establishment. So with those agendas understood they already lose credibility. You see, the parts are not greater than the whole.
Now, is there really an issue? Well, there is evidence to suggest there might just be. After all, we do have a school system that has roughly 60+% African-American students, a budget of over 750 million dollars and an academic exercise that suggests yet another year of a downward spiral. Note: Columbus dropped from 5 out of 27 competencies to 4. This is a system that Phi Delta Kappa’s curriculum and management audit suggested, “race is a monster” in determining the appropriate allocation of and distribution of resources. And the audit further stated that Columbus Public Schools offers TWO separate and unequal systems, one for black and poor students and the other for rich and white students.
After all there is the Justice department lawsuit of the Columbus police department. The details (too many to express here) basically detailing the issues of racial profiling, inadequate discipline of police officers who violate minority’s rights and the violation of minorities civil rights. Many (the uninformed) praise the police for their efforts in curtailing the drug trade in their communities. While I applaud these efforts I can’t help but think how effective the police might really be if the went where the drugs disproportionately are. Statistics and studies indicate that 65% of drug use in is the suburbs, not the inner city. So this inner city effort, though valuable has a disproportionate impact on African-American, thus contributing to the industrial prison complex and warehousing typically African-American males; who by the way happen to fit the public’s profile of a drug dealer. Hmmmm!
There still does exist the results and impact of the last Columbus predicate study that states in its preamble that “ Columbus has both actively and passively engaged in practices of discrimination against members of the African-American community by awarding 99.7% of all city contracts to white males.” So, getting a city contract while Black is an issue.
The income gap between Blacks and whites is significant in this city of opulence vs. despair. The evidence of discriminatory practices such as stopping folks for “Driving while Black” is on file, Blacks receive nearly 80% of Columbus’ jaywalking tickets, so walking while Black is beginning to be an issue. Black children receive nearly 100% of bicycle riding citations, so bicycle riding bikes while Black is an issue. There are still in some areas antiquated codicils in property deeds that restrict Blacks from purchasing homes, so buying a house while Black is an issue. I am often followed around in stores by security and have recently found out that one major Columbus retailer has a public address system code that it announces when a lot of Blacks are in its store to alert security, so shopping while Black is still an issue.
Why was the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) necessary? It was determined by Congress in the late 70’s that banks were not providing loans in areas that were concentrated with non-white residents; so in a stroke of genius the CRA was legislated. Thereby requiring banks to do a certain percentage of lending to residents of the communities they serve. Though the intent of this law hasn’t gone far enough because lenders can still insist on qualifying terms that are culturally biased. Therefore, obtaining low rate credit while Black is still an issue.
Student loans for minorities are down, educational grants and scholarships directed for minorities are down, Black college enrollment is not keeping pace with previous trends, so, getting an education while Black is an issue. I watched for two consecutive years Black valedictorians at several local high schools not gain admittance into colleges. So, I guess CPS counselors providing college planning while (the student is) Black is an issue too.
Has the “open container” law ever challenged your sensibilities? After all you can drink at festivals (out in the open) most are attended by predominately white patrons. You can drink at tailgating parties (out in the open) again mostly white patrons, you can drink at Comfest (out in the open) again mostly white patronage, but you can’t drink in your own front yard (on the Eastside) or at the Comin’ Home Festival…(out in the open) that is attended by predominately Black patrons. So what does this obvious disparity in policing suggest to you? Drinking while Black is a problem.
Help me understand how I can witness marathon runners relieving themselves on the side of the streets, and in alleys while en route to the finish line without any violation of city law being cited, while Blacks are often harassed for the same behavior in the alleys of their own neighborhoods? So, urinating while Black is still an issue. Hell I thought we solved that one with the ‘64 Civil Rights Amendment. I wonder what’s next? Do you suppose there is any way BREATHING while Black can become an issue? Or did I miss a memo?
Al Warner is a local businessman and former candidate for Columbus School Board. His political commentary is often heard on “Fight Back!” the call-in talk radio show on WSMZ103.1FM Sundays from 6-7 pm.