Standing Up for Justice

Together, Let us Weave A New Fabric for Change!

As a country in 1526, the first subjugated Africans (100) brought to the now Carolinas. At the same time, there were an estimated 17 to 20 million First Nation tribal members through this nation and over 60 million in the Americas. In 2020, there are an estimated 45 million African-Americans, and there are over seven million Native Americans in the United States, 78% of whom live outside reservations in which this nation forces them to live. Unfortunately, death by kneeling to George Floyd is not the first time by another. So many painful truths of this nation of racism, oppression, and barriers for achieving dreams of childhood. I write this blog, meant to remind, and call us to action. We can no longer kneel on the hopes of millions.

Saturday, my youngest daughter and I spoke with a colleague to address the pain in America from the eyes of my daughter and her friends' insights. One of my peers shared that maybe, today's youth may not want to hear about the slaughter of over 300 women and children at The Wounded Knee Massacre. Sadly, that 1890 domestic massacre by men in uniform led to the killing of several hundred Lakota Indians, most of whom were women and children, at this Wounded Knee. My daughter shared, "No, dad, the schools do not teach our history! We need to know of the systemic and historical inequalities. See dad, and they do not want to teach the truths of horrible treatment, only a fake version of history." Our conversation continued with this local leader and advocate as she quickly reminded me of teaching her about the Tulsa Massacre. The Oklahoma National Guard called to take the lives of Blacks in Tulsa protesting for the rights of a wrongfully accused teenage boy. My daughter can see the history and the systemic barriers for people of color and the obstacles women have based on the lack of gender equity. Today, our graphic designer, an early 20-year-old young man in Serbia who created the blog's accompanying images, wrote, "James, it's insane how people get killed, and we are in the 21st century. There’s a lot of bad people in the world right now. I don't know what to say." I believe it is clear that all over this nation, people are protesting for a change, from Serbia to Australia, Africa, Asia, and the United Kingdom.

This nation has a well-documented fabric of not dealing with racism, as well as oppression. Two fabrics created the society we now live in. One fabric was an opportunity for those leaving other countries for a better life, and that includes the tens of thousands of immigrants and different ethnicities currently locked up in immigration centers. Latino Americans in the United States make up 52 million people. We know it is well documented that hundreds of thousands of children have been part of a systemic barrier for a better life. We may have forgotten the spotlight on abuses and growth in immigrant detention centers. Maybe many do not even know all the disparities of our nation's criminal justice system. One of my professional experiences on the private networks of criminal justice was when I was told, "You see men and fathers that can change and have a better life. Well, we see dollar bills walking around here and nothing more." That was a statement made to me from a coordinator at a private prison before providing professional counseling/parent education services. If this is the mindset of law enforcement and criminal justice or other systems, how can we really achieve greatness as people?  I wanted to share these realities without educating too much or highlighting the facts impacting well over one hundred million Americans on America's lack of freedom for all people from the years 1526 through 2020.

How can a group of people be slaughtered, another enslaved, another encamped, and a nation not dealing with the historical realities of racism? When racism blended with a pyrrhic victory of false privilege, it will ultimately take the fabric of opportunity in America and unravel and destroy this nation. We have to work towards continually improving the fabric of our society by welcoming the best aspects of the world and weaving them into our history. This will demand that we engage in continuous candid examinations of where we have been and how we can make America a perfect union that will embrace all people. Black America has too often endured and continues to be impacted by the hostility of racism that permeates all aspects of our society. It is at the root of all the injustice and inequality that has burdened all races and ethnic groups since the very beginning of their presence in America. Living and seeing the brutality and inhumanity of those who are selected to lead, which include legislators, legal bodies, and law enforcement authorities, should be enough to cause the whole nation to think and contemplate its future. These persons with persuasive power give cause to grieve this kind of oppression before the eyes of the world. This is not new to those of us who struggle and suffer ongoing trauma but shows a deep sickness in the soul of people in authority. Until the great wrongs are addressed, we will continue to see a country torn apart from the other fabric of weaving a legacy for our children and families.

Every currency of the United States of America states, "In God We Trust," however, that has never been the actualization of this nation that states of trust in God, while people still embrace a culture of racism, violence, greed, discrimination, and other mundane deities. This nation evokes the name of God yet hates its brother and sister by actions, words, lack of equality. This is especially so for Black Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans that nothing less of justice is sufficed!

The year 1526 was almost five hundred years ago! America can no longer tolerate those who are intolerant. Just as we condemn the horrific killing of George Floyd, which has triggered this current opportunity for change, we must equally, therefore, condemn the historical violence and promote the protesting escalated around our country. But that is not enough! We must not stop weaving a new fabric of advocacy for our rights. We can no longer allow Black America to be invisible. We can no longer hold on to adverse treatment to African-Americans, Latinos, and a sad and silenced people who greeted others as they came from Europe, our First Nation brothers, and sisters.

My daughter will be eligible to vote in less than a year. I not only share with her but my other children that we have the opportunity to weave in a fabric of change. I am asking our young generation to lift up the fabric of change. But moms, dads, and grandparents…it start with us. My question to all of us, "How silent have you become to inequality?" We all have a platform starting with a self-examination of our treatment towards others, and just importantly, how silent have we become to challenge the numerous acts of hatred in America. My daughter was correct. Many teachers from K-12th grade have not spent time on the systemic biases and racism in our nation. 

So, we should not let this time in our lives go back to business as usual. I have to look into my soul and actions about the views I have towards others and how can I be a better human. The first change must start in our homes before we can go forward in our community, state, nation, as well as for many who have international connections. What are we teaching our children? Oh, my other question for you to think, "Wait, is your child teaching you? Is she/he teaching how to be more tolerant?" If parents are the best teachers of children, what happens when the teachers are the children to the parents? We must listen to the young voices protesting as they will be our future leaders and not willing to wait on justice anymore, nor you or I wait for change.

See, we have a new opportunity that is just common sense and should not be a 2020 issue on policing standards. Well, how many of you served in the military? I knew that when stationed overseas or stateside, and it did not matter what branch of service, there was a uniformed system of justice based on my or others' behaviors. Moreover, if I or another violated The Uniform Code of Military Justice, we knew the consequences also included loss of freedom and/or never being allowed to serve ever again regardless of branch, active duty, or reserves. Well, why is there not a national uniformed standard for police officers called to help just like the military? This 2020 is a time to no longer allow the spirit of fear because of your race or ethnicity.

My daughter, who is Black and Puerto Rican, is an American brilliant young lady. She sees it is time for her generation to change the world since it appears those generations in the past may have set the tone for change, but now the protesting must continue. George Floyd's 8-minute and 46-second struggle for life and then ultimately death is time for us all to think about whether we can take 8-minutes and 46-seconds a day in our homes to teach our children to be champions for others? Can I, as a dad, take 8-minutes and 46-seconds to be a better dad because George Floyd will always be his children's daddy even through their tears of loss? Can you take 8-minutes and 46-seconds out of your week to give to others and use your platform to stand up for justice? Can you mom, father, brother, sister stand up for 8-minutes and 46-seconds against injustice? 

We cannot be silent anymore. We must fight for newly elected leaders - local, county, state, and nationally who will embrace fighting for everyone. We can no longer be people who are not voting. We must resist the districting of Congress, which limits equal representation. We must demand all law enforcement (local/federal) annual reviews and any civil rights complaints either removed from public engagement or termination without the ability to transfer to another district. We must communicate with law enforcement unions to fight for their members from turning away from justice. Finally, we must talk with our children and reflect on our actions. What are we doing to solve and use our voice to fight for injustice and discrimination?

If we want to make a difference, we must be it! We must change our hearts inwardly to understand how vital this turning point in our lives is for a change in the world. We cannot tolerate pasts like what happened to the Lakota Nation at Wounded Knee, bombings in Tulsa, or the actions of leaders mocking those who want change. We are the essence of transformation. All of you in leadership, you have the responsibility to ensure your collaborations are seeking change for a new fabric in this nation and all around the globe. Young people, it is now your time to hold the torch as our future leaders. I am asking us all to rise with our incredible diversity that makes humanity to be kind and walk our lives in purpose. George Floyd changed the world because a brave young lady stood up to record the event. This amazing young lady is the same age as my daughter. She is 17 and bravely filmed former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis. Maybe she did not know at the moment how standing up and not running away, and she was the first to challenge for freedom and advocate for Mr. Floyd, his family, Minneapolis, and the world! She did not run---I am asking all of us not to allow this time of racism, discrimination, intolerance, and injustice and walk away. We must Stand Up! We must be the change we wish to see in the world for the furtherance of all humankind.

- James C. Rodríguez

#InThisTogether #ThePowerofOneness