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The coronavirus pandemic has devastated and crippled countries throughout the world. Increased unemployment, food shortages, mortalities and lockdowns, just to name a few, were the norm for many countries throughout the world. However, the United States was not only devastated, but exposed to its core for the fraudulent and propagandized narrative placed upon itself as the world’s leader in every comparative category between developed countries.

What was once known only through independent media, the issues of America have become mainstream. We see how delicate the economy is, as only two months crippled some of the largest businesses in America. We see how corrupt our justice system is, as the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have divided the nation. In the cases of Ahmaud and Breonna, there is still a legitimate attempt to cover up blatant wrongdoing by those hired to protect and serve — which is nothing new to Black Americans. More importantly, we see how much contempt both political parties have for the American people.

While other developed countries have contained the virus, our government decided to politicize the entire situation, which has led to an abundance of cases and mortalities. Unfortunately, this is how America has always been. Our politicians that we dutifully elect in hopes of tangible change fall in line with the status quo, opting to join the opposite side of the opposite party’s position. We must not forget that the Republicans of today believe in the same conservative principles of the Democrats of decades before. Democrats were the party of “state’s rights,” slavery, Manifest Destiny and the likes of Strom Thurmond. Then we have the Democrats who align themselves as the moderate and white liberal mentality.

The Democrats may be the more relatable and diverse party, but they are exactly what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described them as. Dr. King would say that the moderate is “more devoted to order than to justice” and that they “live by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a more convenient season.”

Both parties know whose interest to serve — and it is not the American people. The party the Black community votes overwhelmingly for refuses to aggressively fight for our betterment and protection. There is not a united consensus within the party to aggressively push for the punishment of the murderers of Breonna Taylor because of the money and connections they receive through police unions. There is not substantial backlash from the party towards Andrew Cuomo, who let the coronavirus ravish through nursing homes, causing thousands of deaths, because of donations from nursing home executives.

It is very easy to provide symbolism, platitudes, slogans and to take down statues. However, we as the Back community want real change. It is not hard to actually punish police misconduct or blatant racism. It is not hard to fund change in our educational systems and low-income neighborhoods. It is not hard to deal with poor infrastructure, food deserts and healthcare disparities throughout the Black community. If the Democrats would put up an actual fight for our sake, the same way they do to oppose Republicans on any issue, we would obtain substantial progress as a community. Unfortunately, they abide by the rules of their billionaire donors and corporate alliances. True change is not profitable for them and can end their political careers. Their lives are too comfortable and any inconvenience disrupts their undeserved peace.

We, as the Black community, must decide who and what they abide to. The Black dollar is the most influential dollar throughout the United States and we must use it to fund true change. From businesses to schools to political ally-ships, we must and can control our own destiny.

Every election cycle we are told there is a battle between good and evil, a political divide throughout the nation. Yet, we must look to build up our own candidates through funding and infrastructure, and have them abide by our rules, our demands and our voices. No longer shall politicians abide by the demands of their donors, but abide by the will of the people.

Immanuel Dowling

Writing since February 2022 · 1 story contributed