"Rich Thanks to Racism" (Jim Freeman)

TITLE: Rich Thanks to Racism: How the Ultra-Wealthy Profit from Racial Injustice
AUTHOR: Jim Freeman
PUBLISHER: Ithica, NY: Cornell University Press, 2021, (308 pages).

Mention the name "George Floyd" and immediately people would think of systemic racism, social injustice, Black Lives Matter, and protests against any form of inequality and inequity. The trouble is, when the demonstrations are active and widespread, public media pay attention and join in the chorus against hate and systemic inequity. Once the demonstrations die down, many revert to the "normal" they are used to. So, what is the point of protesting if the results are mere short-term? Is it even possible to eradicate systemic racism? Can BLM provide enough impetus to ensure all races and all ethnic groups can be treated fairly? This book aims to look at how we can join in this long-term effort at rebuilding society into a fair and just one. The phrase "systemic racism" cannot simply be left to anybody's imagination. It needs to be defined clearly and that expectations are communicated justly. More importantly, we need to know the root of it all. As a justice advocate and a long-time civil rights lawyer, author Jim Freeman learns that systemic racism that most of us are saying comes from something far more sinister: "Strategic racism." Many of the efforts to bring about greater equality and eradication of poverty fail eventually. That is because programs alone are never bigger than policies. Solutions alone are not any bigger than strategies. If reforms are only made after vigorous demonstrations and protests, such reforms too are not sustainable. The Freeman starts noticing several patterns. Behind the bad policies are the same few hands that feed the problem. These organizations are profiting from the policies that are encouraging systemic racism in the first place! These are the ultra-wealthy, the powerful, the influencers, and the profiteers. Seeing such things made the author reconsider the words of the late civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr who famously said that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." After examining the contexts of systemic racism, Freeman laments that current contexts point to this moral "was being forcibly bent toward injustice." Strong words. How could that be? How is that so? What could one do about it? These questions are dealt with in this remarkable book about a perennial problem in American society, and maybe many others too. 

Before accepting or rejecting Freeman's conclusions, it is helpful for readers to consider his research and the stories of real people who suffered from such injustice. He shares the story of Walter H. Dyett School in Chicago where the mayor and other political leaders ignored the protests from teachers and community coalition to close the school in order to distribute funds to other "needy" schools. The slogan "tough on crime" is responsible for putting more people in jail instead of setting out policies to increase employment and social safety nets. In fact, many public policies go on to privilege predominantly white neighbourhoods. There was no even playing field in majority-white vs non-white neighbourhoods. Whether directly or indirectly, many of the richest tycoons of the country have profited from existing policies that are segregating the rich from the poor. Freeman, himself a white American admits the uncomfortable truth, that "all white Americans have allowed ourselves to become accomplices to racial injustice on a massive scale." From education to businesses, profiteering has become such a grand incentive that anything, including racist policies, is being practiced willingly. This has led to a sad waste of youth potential among non-whites. School privatization is also a powerful tool to fuel systemic racism. The list of philanthropists who gave to top private schools is a list of Who's Who in corporate America. It is not to say that the rich did not donate to the public school system. It is the wide discrepancy that is the problem. Then there are the differences in policing rich and poor; white and non-white neighbourhoods. Why the double standards? Freeman also mentions immigration policies that again favour white majority groups. He ends with a chapter to help us "defeat Goliath" and concludes with an invitation for all of us to pledge interdependence. 

My Thoughts

This is one of the most insightful books on the underlying problems of systemic racism and racial inequality. While many people can mouth aloud words like "systemic racism" and "Black Lives Matter," it takes courage to see beyond the surface of our existing societal structures and social infrastructure. Shocking as it is, the very existence of the country we all know is keeping us where we are right now. There are several challenges. Freeman has pointed out the powers and principalities that are keeping people in their set ways. The American saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" would also run counter to any desire to change, even for the better. Change is painful, and the current climate of greater sensitivity to the plight of the minority and non-white population should spur change. Freeman is spot on when he notes how unsustainable such movements are over time. We need more lobbyists and influential leaders in the upper echelons of society to enable positive change. That raises several other questions and obstacles. Would the rich and the powerful be willing to change the systems that made them successful? Would the poor even have a voice to lobby for their rights? Who will the media gravitate their coverage and attention to? Even with social media, there is the power to ban or restrict access to the poor or marginalized communities when the powers are threatened or feel insecure. All of these contribute to the uphill battles that need to be fought. Will there be an Erin Brockovich or a Ruth Gader Ginsburg to fight for equal rights and equal treatment? Perhaps the author of this book could be one such force. The trouble is, if what Freeman is saying is true, we need to have buy-in and support from the very powers he is accusing. That in itself is a tough proposition.

Perhaps, the power of public opinion could help sway the elephant in the room. This needs community leaders to work together to share a new narrative, a narrative that will offer benefits for all of society. That means the rich and powerful would also gain. Coming to a win-win-win proposition is not going to be easy. Even the President sitting on the most powerful position in America has to fight hard to push a people-friendly agenda. The author is right to call upon "all white people" to share in this resolve to solve the problem. Will that be possible? I am not sure. Maybe, baby steps would be possible, but how much will that accomplish? Not a lot I think.

In conclusion, I think Freeman has given us a helpful understanding of the underlying reasons and contexts of systemic racism. He might very well be correct. His prescription however is more idealistic. Trying to solve such a colossal problem humanly speaking would be impossible. After all, the Goliath that got defeated by little David was because of divine strength. In 1 Sam 17:45, David said to Goliath: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."  I believe that in order to overcome the powers in our land, we need all people to acknowledge that there is a Higher Power that all of us need to answer to.

Jim Freeman directs the Social Movement Support Lab at the University of Denver, which works with communities of color across the US to dismantle systemic racism and create positive social change. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Notre Dame and was an editor on the Harvard Law Review. He served under President Obama as a Commissioner on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Cornell University Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.