Truth and Consequences

As a Scoutmaster, I quite often get questions from my scouts concerning current events.  One of my scouts asked me why Paula Deen was fired after admitting she had used racist language long ago when so many others use similar language without punishment.  This particular scout is a stickler for obeying the rules and the fair and impartial enforcement of the rules, so the Paula Deen situation seemed unjust to him.  However, his final comment really caught me off guard.  He said, “Seems to me she didn’t get fired for using racist words, she got fired for telling the truth.”

Sometimes telling the truth has unpleasant consequences.  And, quite often, the truth is unpleasant. Unfortunately, when it comes to race relations, it seems that no one wants to hear the truth.  I understand that for some issues, truth stems from the perspective.  I feel that race relations in this country are strained to a greater degree than I can remember.  I believe this is partly due to a media willing to underreport some stories and willing to sensationalize other stories.  But, I think the biggest culprit is a society that is so straight-jacketed by the tenets of political correctness that it is unwilling to speak their truth for fear of being labeled a racist.

George Zimmerman, labeled by the media as a “white Hispanic”, was found not guilty of second degree murder charges in the death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen.  Both the police, who investigated the death and declined to press charges, and the jury found that Zimmerman acted in self-defense.  After the verdict was announced, there were several protests around the country about the verdict, and an NAACP petition requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate Zimmerman has over 1 million signatures. Many in the black community, including prominent black leaders, have spoken out against the verdict, demanding “justice”.  I am not arguing the verdict, only the response to the verdict.

Chicago has a homicide rate of 15.2 murders for every 100,000 population.  Statistics show that over 75% of the murder victims are black but greater than 75% of the offenders are black.  In New York City, 63% of murder victims are black and almost 54% of the offenders are black.  Why don’t we see protests against black-on-black crimes?  Why hasn’t the NAACP started a petition to request the DOJ do something about black-on-black crimes?  Aren’t these deaths as important?

In this country, black student high school graduation rates trail both Hispanic and white student graduation rates.  Fifty two percent of black students graduate from public high schools in four years versus a graduation rate of 78% for whites.  Many blame policymakers, educators, and legislators for the low graduation rate. 

Studies show more than 70 % of high school dropouts and more than 80% of incarcerated youth come from fatherless homes.  However, 72% of black children are born to unwed mothers while only 29% of white children are born to unwed mothers.  Why aren’t more prominent black leaders speaking out against uninvolved fathers or unwed mothers?

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, blacks have an incarceration rate six times higher than whites.  Some will blame imbalance on a racist justice system. But DOJ statistics show that a disproportionate number of blacks are committing crimes that result in incarceration, not racial bias in the justice system.  Why aren’t people speaking out to stop the commission of crimes?

It’s time we stop blaming racism for these problems and start recognizing that many of the troubles in the black community, as well as other communities, are results of personal choices.  Drug use, criminal behavior, absentee fathers, and lack of education continue the cycle of poverty, regardless of race.  Although it may be politically incorrect to state it, the plain truth is that disparity in income, education, and opportunities between the races is more often the result of people’s behavior and choices, not how they are treated.

We need to stop worrying about being politically correct and start calling for accountability.  No more passing the blame and spawning a frenzy in the media.  We need to think beyond the teleprompted, coiffed newscaster on the evening news and seek an understanding of the real issues for ourselves.  People of all races need to realize that personal responsibility, hard work, and education are the pathway to success in this country.  Being accountable for our actions is a truth that will be unpleasant to many, but true nonetheless.  If we fail to recognize this truth, I fear for the future of this country.