June 4, 2020

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The recent high-profile killing of a black man by police officers in Minnesota in the United States has sparked anger and criticism throughout the world. In the U.S., protests are taking place nationwide to oppose racism as well as President Donald Trump who is fueling divisions and confrontations. These solidarity movements against shameful acts of racial discrimination and violence represent the future of the U.S.

“[A]ll men are created equal”. This is the spirit of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. This year marks 157 years since the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and 56 years since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act which bans racial segregation. What is spreading across the country is anger against institutionalized racism and a strong urge felt by citizens to take action to wipe out racism. The rates of coronavirus infections and deaths are much higher in the black population than that in the white population in the U.S. This underlines the fact that racism is also a matter of life and death.

President Trump on June 1 made a statement at the White House with protesters chanting outside the building. He did not express his opposition to racial discrimination and stated that he will not hesitate to mobilize the federal military forces to crack down on what he calls the “mob”. Needless to say, violent rioting and looting are unacceptable and have nothing to do with peaceful protest movements. The president should work to strengthen social solidarity to eradicate racism. He, however, has threatened to unleash the military forces. This is extremely dangerous as it will only lead to further discrimination and conflicts.

The killed man’s brother visited the murder site and said that although he is very angry about the incident, he opposes violent demonstrations as destruction is “not going to bring my brother back at all”. He stressed the need to change the society for the better through voting in elections. The bereaved family is calling on people to fight against racism by exercising their right to vote. In solidarity with the victim’s family, it is now necessary for people in the U.S. and the rest of the world to work to create a just society without discrimination and suppression.