Educating Ourselves on the Topic of Race
A woman from the black community was frustrated when having a conversation with a person from the white community, "It's not our responsibility to educate you on racial issues and racial history, you need to do your own research if you want to enter into the conversation of race," she stated. She was correct. Many in the white community don't feel the need to entrench themselves with this topic, as most of us focus on the daily grind of work and family and it's not really an interest that concerns our community as it may with other communities. Also, the white community could be more unknowing of these issues and concerns regarding race as it has not been taught or handed down to them by their parents ove many generations.
For those that do take an interest in racial issues today, find useful information on the history of racial conflicts in the United States and throughout the world on the web search engines, which prepares them to have a conversation with confidence. It is always best to get your information from several sources in order to get a more rounded amount of information. Always be willing to look at opposite points of view and to have an open mind when doing your research. We should never be afraid of the truth, and we should always be willing to change our mind. It is when we become defensive and unwilling to engage in open discussions with regards to race, that makes someone look weak and filled with fear. We should be strong and confident individuals in our conversations, and that comes from knowledge and understanding. All humans have the same emotions of fear and insecurities, but these can be overcome. Read, read, read.
We cannot hold the white community of today, responsible for the sins of certain white people from the past. The white community sympathizes, understands, and acknowledges the past, and will work together with those effected, to rectify the past that we were not involved in.
Educating Ourselves on the Topic of RaceÂ
One issue that all communities face today with regards to race, is the constant drum beat of negativity directed at all communities every day. Unfortunately, with today's social media, one of the negative aspects of the platforms is that it allows the freedom of those with negative or hateful views to advertise their negativity and hatefulness without fear of being confronted or exposed. Whether it is people burning crosses or the waving of the confederate flag, or a swastika symbol, or any racial comments in a hateful manner, which paints a negative image on the white community. We also see negative posts towards the white community, calling all white people racist by birth, and that only white people can be racist. Also, that only whites have unconscious bias, micro aggressions, white privilege, or that whites hate all other races other than their own.
The term "white boy," is often thrown around, and the white community finds this term derogatory and should not be used. We understand that this term "boy," was used against black men to demean them in the past, and we in the white community today find that part of history abhorrent and should not be repeated. There are also daily posts on what the white community should or should not say to non-whites when engaging in conversations. These types of negative or hateful behaviors and speech, from both inside the white community and from outside our community, that it does so much damage to race relations in America, that we must work so much harder to accomplish the goal of racial unity.
There are also those that continue to put the white community on one side of an issue and all of the non-white community on the other side, always dividing us on the basis of race, instead of understanding that we are all effected by negative and hateful behavior, wherever it comes from. Let us hold those accountable in our own communities, instead of always trying to hold those accountable in other communities. No one from the black community, or the white community, or any other communities for that matter, should be talking negatively about anyone from another community, period. In other words, "We Fix Us, and You Fix You."Â
Educating Ourselves on the Topic of Race
Another concern that I hear coming from the black community is that the white community, "still doesn't get it." That the white community doesn't care about the history or effects of that history of the black community, or any acknowledgment that they do. The whole issue of "Critical Race Theory," was to show how the United States was formed, with regards to the pillars of our society, and how racism is embedded in U.S. laws and institutions to this day.
DEI and affirmative action for example, came out of the 1960's, which aimed at ending discrimination based on race. The question today is, where specifically is the racial discrimination, now that society has changed with regards to the power structure of our society, the white population numbers and having more diversity and opportunity in all segments of society. If proven examples can be given, the white community will work alongside any community negatively affected by any such discrimination based on race, to help eliminate that discrimination. Any pillar of society that still has such effects, also negatively effects the white community as well.Â
 The White community feels that there sometimes can be a continual obsession with race, and the black community feels the white community is in denial of it. It is understandable that all communities would be coming at this topic from different points of perspective, so there needs to be an ability to listen closely to each other without the objective of disagreeing or being correct. We must learn to listen to each other's ideas and suggestions on how to come to terms with each other's perspectives, experiences, and desirable outcomes.
Finding solutions is the goal. One topic the white community could take the lead on, is what the black and non-white community has been hoping for, which is for the white community to acknowledge the past injustices that can have a generational effect on the present-day generations of the non-white communities. This does not mean that the black and non-white communities expect the white community of today to take responsibility for any past discrimination by others, but only to show an acknowledgement, and that we have empathy and an understanding of the past. The more the white community educates itself on the topic of race, the better position we will be in to have that conversation. "Knowledge Crushes Fear"Â
United States of America
The United States of America is the greatest country in the world, and we all should show our love of country by living up to its message of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of prosperity, and justice. The United States is a newly formed country at only 248 years old, which is almost a new experiment that is always evolving and growing. The Great Seal of the United States, is inscribed with "E Pluribus Unum," "Out of Many, One." The Statue of Liberty is inscribed with, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The Founding Fathers were smart enough to realize that this country was not being formed for one people, but for many. What makes this country so special and so different from all the other countries in the world, is just that. The United States of America is for every person, every race, every ethnicity, and every religion in the world. Although the country will forever change and evolve, there will always be one unifying American culture, that is made up from all of the world's peoples.
All newcomers that wish to be part of the American fabric, should embrace the American ideals and freedoms that make this country the greatest country in the world. We can also celebrate in this new country, everyone's own ethnic, racial or religious culture, without fear of persecution from the government or from any person(s). None of us should ever feel intimidated or fearful from the diversity of the world, and no one should ever hold hateful feelings towards anyone because of who they are, or who they represent. Only the weak minded would hold such thoughts or feelings. We should never be intimidated by those who are different from ourselves, and embrace the diversity of languages, cultures, religions, and races, and never allow fear to guide us as a nation or as a people. Even though in the beginning of the United States of America, there were horrific instances of human suffering, let us show the world that this country can heal itself and its people, and begin a new chapter of togetherness and unity for all.
Law Enforcement
One of the pillars in society that complaints of unfairness, and unequal treatment, when it comes to systems in place, with regards to the criminal justice system. Law enforcement has got to be one of the most important concerns regarding this topic, and we should not be afraid to discuss the opinions and concerns of those who feel we still need work in this important pillar. First and foremost, Whitehorse America supports Law Enforcement. Society needs the police. Society wants the police. All the police ask for is respect and cooperation. What does the public want from the police? Respect of our person and respect of our civil rights. To have high tolerance with us when we start getting agitated from being stopped and quested. With the millions of daily encounters that police have with the public each day, only a small fraction turn into a negative encounter, but you wouldn't think that by the way these seldom negative encounters are portrayed by the media. It only takes one incident, one spark, for the media to showcase this negative encounter to sell their papers.
When we talk about selling newspapers, we mean all forms of media, which are very powerful tools that can be used for the good of the public or abused to turn a profit. Too many times, we see the media run with any unfortunate and ugly confrontations between the police and members of the community, while never showcasing instances where there are positive interactions between the police and the community. Let's start by saying that being a police officer is a noble profession. When you ask a little boy or girl what they want to be when they grow up, a lot of them will say a policeman or policewomen. We believe that all police officers go into the job with the intent of helping others and helping the community. Will police officers make mistakes? Yes. Why? Because they are human, just like us. Although we hold the police to a higher standard, they, just like a postal worker, a store clerk, a nurse, a construction worker, and so on, can have a bad day, have their buttons pushed, or lose their tempers, like we all can. The stress level of being a police officer is unimaginable. Although social media can at times be such a negative force in our society, it can also allow us to see certain interactions with law enforcement, which shows the ridiculous, unruly, uncooperative, and even violent, side of the person the police are interacting with. In most instances, if the subject(s) would have just remained calm, listened, cooperated, and behaved respectful, the police officer would have acted the same way. Not always of course, but most of the times. Being a police officer is a very dangerous profession, and one never knows what the intentions are of someone that is pulled over in a vehicle, or with someone that is confronted on the street.
From 2021 to 2025 for instance, there were approximately, 279 police officers killed in the line of duty, which reveals that in this five-year period, there were more police officers killed than in any other consecutive five-year period in the last 20 years. Are we going to hear from the media of these police killings every time they happen? The answer in no. Due to the lack of information provided to the public, the white community and the black community, as well as all communities, do not know that what goes on in one community or another. The white community may not be privy to the goings on, and the relationship between the black community and the police, and the same is true with the black community's knowledge of the white community and the police. There is a perception that white police officers treat white subjects nicely and are never aggressive with them because they are of the same race. This is incorrect, but how would someone know who does not live in the community? If you treat a police officer with respect and listen and follow commands made to you, even when dealing with a hot-tempered police officer, chances are the encounter will not end up in a bad way. One of the reasons is that there has been hostility between the police and certain communities, is there has been a cultural disconnect. If you are policing in a neighborhood that is of a different race or culture, than where you were brought up, and if the training is not sufficiently teaching officers how to deal with these differences, you could end up with a lot of negative encounters. Fortunately, much has changed for the better with regards to cultural understanding and more advanced training in police academies throughout the country. With regards to social media videos and police bodycams, we can see negative encounters between the police and the public. We can obviously see how the individual was completely out of control, and not following any commands, while turning a simple traffic stop into a dangerous and unnecessary encounter. Some of these encounters turn deadly due to the individual's behavior. We also see encounters where the officer(s) approach or the way of addressing and handling the situation was over aggressive, disrespectful, or unlawful. Some of these encounters have also resulted in a deadly encounter, that had the situation been handled differently, the outcome would have been within the guidelines of police policy, and quite possibly no one would have been injured or killed.
Let the police respect the rights and dignities of the citizens, and the citizens respect and cooperate with the police, as to have a positive and safe outcome for us all. Â
Law Enforcement
Another issue that we the public face with regards to law enforcement is the way the media reports on incidents between the police and members of the public who happen to be of another race. The issue is not whether the unfortunate and horrific incidents occurred, it is how fair and accurate the reporting of the incidents is, with regards to if race actually played a role in what happened. If there was no factual evidence to prove racial ominous, but the media introduces race in their headlines to sell more copy, the damage to all of the communities involved is immense and creates a perception of a continued pattern of racial discrimination and racial hatred. We never want to deny or deflect incidents regarding the mistreatment, harassment, brutality, or even the death of someone, but we do need to ensure that the media is accurate in putting out information to the public, which if not reported accurately and fairly, can Insite people and even cause more death and a further divide in race relations.
If we look at the cases of Rodney King, Amadou Diallo, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, we can see that all of these cases are different in nature and different in facts. If someone would sight all of them as a pattern of racial discrimination, racial profiling, racial brutality, and racial hatred, because all the victims are of the same race, it would be difficult to dismiss this claim, and we should never attempt to dismiss the incidents themselves, as they are all so horrific, but if we only continue to profile cases of only one race, when we know there are many if not more cases coming from a different race, one could question the fairness of the reporting. instead, we should dissect each case to ensure we are accurate in the cause of the incident to prevent future incidents of this kind in the future, while also asking the media to be fair in their reporting of cases that also involve other races. We also want to show that we are not falsely accusing any of the subjects involved, while showing compassion and empathy for the person(s) effected by the incident.
One would wonder after seeing and hearing of all these cases, aren't there any instances of police brutality towards any members of the white community? If there are, why aren't we hearing of these stories from the media. If the media only shows stories of one community always being the aggressor or perpetrator, and one community always being the victim, it sends a negative and unfair narrative that can cause so much damage to race relations, when instead, if the media would show a balance, an equal representation of the true happenings in the communities around this country, that would ease racial tensions from allowing others to see that they are not alone in these negative incidents.
If you look at the statistics for just the past five years on police shootings for instance, both in the white community and in the black community, approximately ninety-five percent of all deaths of members of the public by police officers, the subjects were armed. Only approximately five percent in both communities were unarmed when they were killed, but you would not know that when the media runs story after story of only those subjects who were unarmed when killed by police. The media also highlights the fact that a "white police officer killed another unarmed black man". This constant drumbeat of an unarmed black person killed by a white police officer further paints a view of a racist white police officers who killed a black person because the person was black and unarmed. Another important statistic is that each year, there are more white people getting killed by police than any other racial group.
The reason the white community and the black community does not know this, is because when the media reports on statistics, they keep referring only to the disproportionate number of black people being killed by police, not the total number. One would have to wonder if this is done out of ignorance, or due to malicious intent. The disproportionate number is very important, and we should not exclude that information. We should look at the root causes of all of the numbers and not let the media paint a one-sided picture of police shootings, police brutality, or polices statistical numbers. This makes the media untrustworthy, while at the same time, stirs the pot of the racial divide.
Law Enforcement
As we have stated, the public supports the police, the public wants the police, the public needs the police. The public just needs the police to be receptive to what the public expects of the police. There is no greater frustration then when someone feels that their liberties and civil rights according to the American Constitution, are being violated. It feels at times that the training the police officers receive at the training academy and how they are trained by certain training officers once they get out of the academy, is sometimes in stark contrast to what the public feels about how they should behave when dealing with the public during traffic stops or when someone is being stopped in public.
The public feels that the police officers should be tough enough to handle and deal with the "bad guys" but should also be calm and respectful at the same time. The public also feels that there are often "cover ups" on bad incidents and that the Chiefs of police and police union bosses never want to admit wrongdoing or that an incident could have been handled differently because the officers' actions are always going to be a reflection of them. During traffic stops we often see the police officer demanding ID and other paperwork while refusing to explain to the person they have stopped or encountered, why they were being stopped when asked. People don't like being stopped and asked for identification without first being explained why they were stopped. The police position is that if they first explain the reason for the stop before getting identification, is that people usually disagree with the reason for the stop and then begin to argue with the Officer and then this delays the Officer from finding out who they are speaking with. This person could have warrants or have lost privileges to even be driving.
  We often see these encounters start off in a negative and aggressive beginning, sometimes from the person being stopped, and sometimes from the officer. We have seen many of these encounters on social media, which can give members of the public a better view of police officer encounters, that they were unable to see before. There also seems to be some confusion on when police officers can demand ID during an encounter with the public, as states have different statutes. The "standard operating procedures" should be looked at, along with the training guidelines of police departments, to help prevent unfortunate and negative encounters. We have come along way with improving the police departments in the United States, since the first departments in Boston, 1838, and in New York, 1845 (the oldest continuous police department) and with a mutual understanding between the police departments across this country, and the general public, we will learn from each other and gain the mutual respect that we all deserve. Young Americans, keep yourself safe and out of trouble with the police by following these simple rules:
1. Do not drive a vehicle without a valid driver's license. No excuses.
2. Do not drive a vehicle unless the vehicle is properly registered.
3. Do not a vehicle unless you have valid vehicle insurance.
4. Do not have drugs, or paraphernalia, alcohol, weapons, in the vehicle, and do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.Â
5. Do not speed or joyride and obey all traffic laws.Â
6. Follow and obey all of the officer's commands even if you disagree with the stop, with the behavior of the police, or if you are asked to provide paperwork prior to being told the reason of the stop. If you are asked to step out of the vehicle, obey the command and step out immediately. You will eventually be told why you were stopped.
7. Always be respectful and polite as this will ensure a smooth interaction. You can always state your case afterwards in a respectful manner. "Comply then Complain", not the other way around.Â
8. Know that police officers are people just like us and hired by us to keep us all safe. If we show respect and comply with directions, this will eliminate most negative experiences between the police and the public.             Â
We support law enforcement, and we ask law enforcement to support and respect the public, for the common good of all of us!
A message to the Black and Non-White community
Although I realize I cannot speak on behalf of the entire white community, I feel that I do speak for the majority, when I say that except for the very few, that sliver in our community who have lost their way, the white community is here to genuinely and sincerely stand by your communities with regards to the issues of race and race relations. Although the white community of today was not involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the involvement by the Federal, State, and local governments, as well as the private sector with regards to the Jim Crow system of legal segregation and discrimination against Black Americans in the United States, we today are educating ourselves of this past horror, in order to acknowledge the past and fight against any discrimination based on race today. Trust, when we say that we get very upset and angry, whenever we see any member of our community, behaving in a negative, hateful, violent, manner, towards any person(s) due to sheer ignorance. Our voices of understanding, compassion, empathy, and love for others, goes unheard, while the very few in our community who transgress, receive all of the attention, tainting the image of the entire white community as a whole.
We believe in diversity, equality, fairness, and will walk lockstep arm-in-arm with you to fight any evil coming towards you for any reason and only wish that we together can drown out the negative and hateful voices that are coming from the few ignorant and weak members from all of our communities. We also believe that there are still some effects and remnants from the past that are holding some people down, and we shall acknowledge these past effects and work to eliminate any barriers that are preventing anyone from achieving prosperity, equality, and the opportunity to have a wonderful quality of life. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done, but please know that the white community is here to listen, understand, and acknowledge the past transgressions against any communities that have been discriminated against, or violated in any way because of their race, and we will work to stifle any negative, hateful, or evil behaviors directed towards you and your community. We also ask the same from you, to help stifle any hate and violence directed towards us. Lastly, please recognize that we in the white community believe, as you do, that we are all God's children, and we must all work together to achieve the words of, "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself"
Religion
If we look at the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, these three religions are intertwined, interconnected, and cannot be unconnected. These middle eastern religions are from the same region, from the same peoples, and one would think that they all would be able to connect with each other in a spiritual sense and show the world what the true meanings of these religions are. Abraham is known to be the Patriarch of all three of these religions, as his first son, Ishmael, has his lineage running and connecting to Muhammad, and is also looked at as the Father of the Arab Nations. Abraham's second son Isaac has his lineage running and connecting to Jesus and is known as the Heir to the Covenant. One wonders what Abraham would think and say if he could see the fighting, the hatred, and all of the killings in the name of the religions that he is the Patriarch of. Of course, members and even leaders of all of the three religions will blame the conflicts with each other, on each other.
How can man claim to be so righteous, so loving, and so Godly, while at the same time, demean, degrade, dismiss, and even have their hearts filled with hatred towards other religions, and of people who belong to these different religions, who happen to believe what they have been taught since childhood from their parents? Where are the religious leaders from each of these faiths? Why can't these religious leaders participate with a yearly summit, to discuss religious conflicts and religious mistrust. If they could only show the world a unified front on religious tolerance, religious unity, and religious leadership built on respect and trust, they could help heal a lot of the religious conflicts and wars throughout the world. We must learn to free ourselves of these fears and mistrust of others who believe in God, but have a different background, history, and religious beliefs than our own. Once we can truly free ourselves from theses chains of ignorance and hatred, only then can we truly be free and truly be righteous in the eyes of God.
 Fear No Religion.
The White community is excluded from the complaint, included in the cause.
There are instances of concern and frustration that the white community is faced with, and these frustrations are no different from the frustrations from other communities with regards to race, racial discrimination, false accusations of racism. We understand that each community member is going to feel and understand issues that face them in their own community, and we also understand that unless we listen to the concerns of others, and others listen and understand our concerns, we will continue to remain stagnant in moving the ball of race relations further down the field. One theme or tactic for a claim of racial discrimination in particular can be seen constantly from the white community, that other racial groups may not face or recognize. This is a perfect example of what the white community sees and deals with on a regular basis, just under different circumstances.
Sometime ago, there was an organization that placed bus stop billboards throughout the city of Los Angeles, depicting a black girl sitting in the back of a bus, and a caption referencing the year 1956 and today, which stated that nothing has changed with regards to racial discrimination. The organization then wrote an article that was in the Los Angeles Times newspaper regarding this issue. The complaint from this organization was that the city buses were being neglected, that they were old and not safe, that the price was too high, and that there were not enough buses for the number of travelers. All which in fact was true. They also stated that the reason for the lack of care and purpose of the bus service, was due to the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) focusing more on the new rail lines, both above ground and underground, at the expense of the city buses. Their complaint in the article, further stated that 82% of the bus riders are minorities, and that the new rail lines traveled through mostly white neighborhoods, which was the main cause for the complaint. When examining the complaint and the cause, we can see a subtle yet disturbing tactic being used towards the MTA and the public at large, on using race and the claim of racial discrimination, to get the MTA to slow down on the development of the rail lines, in order to place more emphasis on the bus service. This tactic is to guilt government officials with claims of racism, racial preferences, and racial discrimination, in order to get what you want.
The sad reality is you don't need to use this tactic of using us as your complaint, and excluding us as your cause, to achieve the goal of a more improved bus service. If we look at the complaint that 82% of the bus ridership are minorities, that means that the 20% left over is white ridership. The way they get 82% which sounds horrible because it's such a large number of the population, is to add every racial and ethnic group on the planet to achieve this number. So, if you are Pakastani, Filipino, Iranian, Mexican, Cuban, Thai, and so on, you are included in this number. It's sad that they would put every race of people on one side of the fence, and the white community on the other. Separating us on the basis of race which is the opposite of unity. If the white community is 18% of the bus ridership, and the Asian bus ridership on the city buses were at 8%, then white ridership would be more affected by population numbers. Those making these types of claims and complaints, don't want to break it up this way because they feel as if by including the white community, this dilutes their argument of racial discrimination.
Now, we will be included in the cause, by stating that the rail lines serve mostly the white communities of Los Angeles. I went to the MTA and asked for the rail line maps that show where all of the routes for the Metro Rail and Metro Link, which is the above ground rail service, and the underground rail service, that were already built, and also for future routes under construction. Every route that was currently in service, served a very diverse racial makeup of the city of Los Angeles. None of the rail routes served any prominent white community in the city. These maps are available for viewing online. It was such a ridiculous argument, and even worse yet, some of the MTA board members who were overseeing the rail projects were, Gloria Molina, Mark-Ridley Thomas, and Richard Alatorre, and none of these board members would ever allow such discrimination to take place. This is a very common strategy when communities, groups, or organizations want to advance a cause, and the thought that by accusing the "system" of discrimination, it betters their chance for change or a more favorable outcome.Â
The White community excluded from the complaint, included in the cause.
The saddest and most disappointing thing about the story regarding the bus service claim in the story above, is that one, it was not necessary, and two, this is the same tactic that is used against the white community for a whole host of complaints regarding systems in our government and in society, in racial conflicts, natural disasters, or even any instance of a racial discrimination claim. If you're not in the white community, you probably don't know of these types of circumstances that we are speaking of. What would have been a better and more truthful approach to the bus service problems that we have all witnessed here in Los Angeles, Is to simply say that the problems with the bus service affects all Angelinos, it affects all racial groups, and all racial groups are suffering at the expense of the new age of rail service in Los Angeles. "Please don't leave us bus riders behind while you invest in the future." That's an argument with a unified front. That's not dividing us by putting all minorities on one side of the street, and the white community on the other side of the street. This happens all the time, but if you are a non-white person, how would you know this? Whether we are talking about any natural disaster, the pandemic, or any other topic that involves race, we are excluded from being affected. Anything that effects minorities, also affects us. That tactic and that way of thinking has got to stop, if we are ever going to look at the population of the United States and a true melting pot of diverse races, diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities. We can win these types of battles together, not divided.
We need to see more of this!
Imagine reading an article of a white man listening to the heartbeat of his deceased daughter's heart with a stethoscope from the chest of a black man who was her recipient. These types of occurrences between the races on a daily basis that no one ever hears about is very disappointing, as if more people from all races see that there are so many more positive interactions from all the races of people every minute of the day from every corner of our country, we would realize that that are forces out there that seem to want to bury these stories and interactions. Let us work together to put these stories out there to counter all of the negative output regarding race, and to let others know that there are more positive voices and behaviors than not.
These are the stories and behaviors that divide us!
Whether you are tainting the white community internally by showing hate for others or attacking the white community externally with attacks accusing the entire white community of white supremacy or racism, the white community feels that it is being falsely associated with the hatred from others, the fear of others, and the negative behavior of others. Each community should work on their own communities from within, in order to squash the negative forces that tear down the image of the communities as a whole. These negative posts, comments, and the hateful behaviors have got to stop, in order for us to move the ball of race relations further down the field!
LET US FIX THE PROBLEMS OF OUR OWN COMMUNITIES. WE DON'T NEED YOU TO FIX US, AND YOU DON'T NEED US TO FIX YOU!
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