I guess that when you write about never-ending race matters in a nation that has been shadowed by the daunting specter since its creation, it should be expected that familiar themes will arise. There may be no more consistent theme regarding Blacks and Race in America than the following one, they have always received a heaping portion of the pain, misery, and suffering that freely flows from this nation. Put simply; when it comes to pain, misery, and suffering, Blacks have been America’s pack-mule.
This understanding of the peculiar plight of Blacks guides my belief that Black America will find itself on the receiving end of a heaping portion of the negative effects of the Coronavirus. In some ways it is understandable that many Blacks reach for conspiracy theories to explain the voluminous misery and suffering that is once again falling upon their community. At their very best, the alluded to conspiracy theories rob Blacks of the very agency they have used to maintain their existence.
It is this unfortunate reality that guides me toward a relatively simple question of “Why has Black America been disproportionately affected by Coronavirus?” as well as a more important question of “What can Black America do about being disproportionately affected by Coronavirus?” Of course, both questions are crucial, yet, the latter is much more weighty.
Recently released data reveals that Black America is once again the pack-mule for American suffering in places such as Michigan where their population is a paltry 14%, yet that decidedly minority population makes up 35% of all Coronavirus cases and 40% of the deaths from the global pandemic. Health experts have pointed to the “Motor City” as being the next hotspot for infections and deaths that are bound to disproportionately impact Blacks. The city of New Orleans has likewise been cited as a looming hotspot for Coronavirus infections and deaths. Medical professionals have highlighted that the predominantly Black, Orleans Parish is the location of 40% of Louisiana’s deaths.
Black America should be asking itself innumerable questions that begin with the simple word of “Why?”
- Why has our community been disproportionately impacted?
- Why has nothing been done to slow infections in our midst?
- Why has Black leadership not stepped forward more prominently?
One thing is for certain, the admonishment that scholar John Henrik Clarke hurled at Black America years ago that “you have no friends” should be the North Star that guides it through this terrible time.
As this nation’s leaders stumble and bumble their way through this moment, Black Americans must refuse to travel down that clunky path in favor of taking definitive steps to protect themselves “by any means necessary.” At a time like this, Blacks must reject a well-worn pattern of skepticism regarding science in favor of the sage advice of medical professionals to stay home and take every precaution if they must leave the confines of their homes. This is not a time for Black America to reject the words of medical experts. Failure to heed that advice will invariably result in an avoidable reminder that “we have no friends” via a phenomenal death toll.
There is honestly no other way that this can be stated. Protect yourself and all that you love from this killer virus, failure to do such guarantees that you will join a growing list of Blacks who have fallen victim to the Coronavirus in a nation where politico-economic realities long ago determined that Blacks would receive a King’s ransom of misery and suffering.
Dr. James Thomas Jones III