Toward a More Perfect Union: The President Affirms Black Men, Like Himself; But if You Really Want to Change Things, Show Up for Jury Duty

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I came home from a meeting and learned of the president’s speech regarding the overwhelming reactions of Americans everywhere to the not guilty verdict for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a rather typical American boy. Except, of course, he was black, which according to defendant George Zimmerman, and the 6 jurors who acquitted him, was enough to cause fear substantial enough to justify a grown man shooting an unarmed teenager.

Many people, on the right and left, seem unable to grasp the awkwardness of the dance that this president, unlike any others before him, must do to combat those stereotypes of the angry black man; a scary image to white people, especially white women. Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama has stepped lightly when it comes to matters of race and racial identity. He has to work much harder to convince white Americans, especially those predisposed to white supremacy, that he is the president of all Americans; and so tries to avoid, sometimes to the ire of his base, even the appearance of favoring African Americans in matters of policy
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This was a very difficult message that the president needed to deliver to the American people at this time, and he had zero margin for error. We needed to hear from him, and we needed to hear him speak, not just as the president, but as a black man. It was a pivotal American moment in many ways; for it legitimized, and brought into the light of the biggest spotlight on earth, the reality of the long-term effects of centuries of white supremacist policies and institutionalized racism. He affirmed his experience as a black man in America, and so affirmed others like him. Like Trayvon Martin. What a lovely gift to Trayvon’s parents, who have been unwavering examples of grace and dignity under extreme emotional pressure.

But the greatest service President Obama did to our country with that speech is to pull the covers on his harshest and most extreme critics and their insistent denial of white privilege in America. Oh, they will, of course continue to live in their fantasy post-racial world; but the president has reinforced his non-white base, which is growing by the day, and we will all continue to speak out about our experiences, and now with a newfound confidence and strength. For now, our strength lies not only in our numbers, but in the recognition of, and identification with, the President of the United States of America. The leader of the free world. That’s gotta be a first!

I have a lot of white friends who are just waking up to the notion of white privilege, and claim that they are just starting to hear about it. Now everybody’s talking about it because the President of the United States spoke unscripted for over 17 minutes in front of the White House Press Corps about being a black young man in America. Thus, blissful white ignorance, and denial of their white privilege that comes from centuries of legally sanctioned white supremacy, can no longer be the norm in the United States of America. As non-whites are beginning to outnumber whites, the true history of the United States must be appreciated for what it is, revealing a past that is often more American Holocaust, than Manifest Destiny. That is a big deal.

And that is not to say that there is something inherently wrong with white people, or any other kind of people of the past. That would be a silly and misguided use of emotional energy. The historian in me is often rather astonished that so many Americans are uncomfortable talking about race in America; seeming to be running away from a misplaced sense of guilt or shame. There is no need for that kind of negative energy. In fact, when we look back on several centuries of an entire country legally sanctioning inequity, how can we not be where we are? How can our laws and policies not be confusing, outmoded and inequitably applied, when the foundation upon which they are laid down have now decomposed and are beginning to emit that sour odor of something dead?

Time to evolve. Time for that lovely Phoenix to arise out of the ashes of our former foundation, and soar to greater heights.

And I applaud the president also for what he didn’t say. He didn’t make the typical Washington move of appointing some commission, or a study, or some new government program, or even call for a national dialogue; because he knew that all of these suggestions would just become more political red meat to throw into the piranha tank that Washington has become.

Moreover, I think that he lay responsibility squarely where it belongs – on we, the people. It is up to us to create something different than what we have now.  And there are activities in which we must all engage in order to take greater responsibility for the communities and the nation we create. Chief among these, are showing up at the polls – in every election, especially the local ones – and showing up for jury duty.

It is not an accident that there were no black people on that jury. There were probably few in the jury pool to begin with because black and brown people don’t show up for jury duty in the same proportional numbers that white people do.  Neither do young people. I know that the one non-white juror was not black because a black mother would have advocated for Trayvon, even to the point of hanging the jury if necessary. The Latina juror seemed to identify with Trayvon more than the others, if reports can be believed; but still not to the extent that a black mother would have, and so Trayvon was abandoned in that jury room.

If you want to do all you can to be the change you want to see, then for the love of America, let’s all at least do that which is immediately available to us, i.e., voting and jury duty. We can do this! The tide is turning and momentum is with us, and turning away from racism and oppression; but we have to do our part as good citizens and good stewards of our democracy.

So, register to vote and next time you get that jury summons, take it seriously. Who would you want reviewing your child’s murder? If you want to be judged by people like you, then show up to adjudicate the legal matters of people like you, people who are your neighbors. Jury duty is a powerful, powerful tool. Let’s honor it and use it, in order to do our part in creating that “more perfect union.”

It is up to us. Vote. Be a juror. It’s the best thing you can do for America. In fact, it is your duty; and the only penalty for not doing your duty is injustice for all. How’s that working for you lately?