There is nothing good about racism and race discrimination, just varying levels of terrible. This past weekend, we saw the worst when a white, 18-year-old racist walked into a Tops grocery store and shot 13 people, 10 of whom died. The gunman, Payton Gendron, was wearing tactical gear and heavily armed. He wore a helmet with a camera that live-streamed his actions. He used his live-stream on Twitch to advertise his racist manifesto. He had made racist comments in the past and generalized statements about attacks.
Racism and race discrimination are real. Pretending that it does not exist or turning a blind eye only allows it to grow and spread. While almost all of the country are in shock and disgusted by this horrific mass killing, this conduct and access to Gendron’s manifesto will undoubtedly encourage or embolden other racists. Maybe it will be only 10 or 20 across the country. Likely more, but hopefully less. This is not to say that all of these people will become murders, but just further embolden racist conduct.
How do I know? Read social media posts. There are several that say stuff about how killing was horrible but … these commenters talk openly open this being a consequence for affirmative action, whites being at a disadvantage, bemoaning the shrinking Caucasian population, or outright making racist comments. These people may not be killers, but they are employers, bosses, managers, police officers, government officials, teachers, and other people of power and influence.
Sadly, in a week or two, the news cycle will end, and the Buffalo Top’s shooting will move on from the country’s center of focus. However, the racism and hate will remain.
As a country, we must never stop fighting all types of discrimination and harassment. That’s what our employment discrimination attorneys do every day. Join us in moving our country forward.
Our heartfelt prayers go out to the family and friends of:
- Christopher Braden
- Celestine Chaney
- Roberta Drury
- Zaire Goodman
- Katherine “Kat” Massey
- Andre Mackneil
- Margus Morrison
- Heyward Patterson
- Aaron Salter
- Geraldine Talley
- Jennifer Warrington
- Ruth Whitfield
- Pearly Young
Be with G-d.