Racial Cognitive Dissonance

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” ― Randy Pausch

Preamble: I write my blog often with the idea that someday my sons will read them and learn from my years of experience. This is especially true of this blog that is inspired by current events. One theory I found especially revealing during my academic career in psychology was the theory of cognitive dissonance, the discomfort individuals feel when reality conflicts with their belief system.  Common reactions are giving less importance to discrepancies, focusing on facts that support one’s belief, or changing factors that disagree with one’s belief. I want my son’s to someday better understand recent events. As much as some try to disregard the facts (to avoid dissonance), the struggle against racism continues today and my sons should understand to be ever alert.

Zimmerman Trail Was A Scam: If you believe the trail was legit, you need to give your belief system a reality check.  Before even touching on the issues of racism that were CLEARLY evident, take a moment to just review facts with the understanding that those in power have a prime directive of maintaining the status quo. Not convinced, consider the following:

• The Police: They blew it when they let Zimmerman go, plain and simple.  They made assumptions that were incorrect regarding the lethal force applied and did not make an appropriate effort to determine whether the dead boy had a right to be in neighborhood.  The assumptions made led to inappropriate responses including letting the murderer go free.
• District Attorneys: Do you seriously believe that the District Attorneys could be independent in their prosecution?  To prosecute with the full force of the law, the DAs were obligated to call into question everything the police did with regard to the case.  Did that happen? Of course not! They knew the police and had a conflict of interest with regard to the actions taken.  They let the defense badger the key witness for hours prior to the trial and allowed the defense to create a combative atmosphere where the witness was ridiculed. I object!
• The Judge: “Stand your ground” was never invoked. So, why would the instructions emphasize that it applied to the decision making process for the jury?  Obviously, to rig the outcome of the deliberations.  Why were jurors allowed to have outside visitors to taint their reactions? Same thing.  The mainstream media tries in vain to say the judge was fair and balanced when she clearly set up the burden of proof such that the verdict was inevitable.
• The Jury:  A juror only participated to make a book deal!  Need I say more?  How did she make it through the jury selection?  She clearly had an agenda. Which brings us back to …
• Racism:  I want my sons to clearly understand that the whole case is a blatant case of institutional racism.  To say local laws supersede federal laws, is to say that Jim Crow laws, lynch mobs and even slavery were justified because they were legal as far as the local governments were concerned. Just laws must be obeyed but unjust laws MUST be protested and changed.  The struggle continues.
• In search of Uncle Tom: I find it sad when people desperately look for anyone to say something to make them feel better. Charles Barkley made comments that supported the claim of self-defense. The man may have been a good basketball player but he had no clue. Still, some people quoted his idiocy.  The BOY not the man had every right to defend himself.  The grown man should have listened to the orders given by police to stand down. Once he chose to disobey, he was responsible and more importantly liable for anything that happened after.  At a minimum, the murderer should have been convicted of manslaughter.

No Laughing Matter: Inspired by the Paula Dean scandal, I only want to point out some key things for me.  I enjoy all kinds of comedy that includes the likes of Carlos Mencia, Russell Peters, Katt Williams and Robin Williams.  However, I do not support malicious name calling or any jokes you feel uncomfortable telling in front of the affected party. So, I think she was wrong to allow such things to go on within her companies.  I definitely question her longing for a slave motif in restaurants and parties.  Since I am not a fan of such nostalgia, I likewise was not a fan of shows like “Happy Days” where people of color were conspicuously absent.

My Respects to the Heroic Few: As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech, I remain hopeful that someday Dr. King’s dream will come true.  To end on a positive note, I wish to celebrate heroic acts where people set aside their differences and did what was inherently right.

• The Boston hero in a cowboy hat who rendered aid to victims of the Boston bombing.
• The elderly court clerk who was fired for helping secure a DNA test that proved a man innocent.
• A front office school employee who together with a 911 operator talks down a gunman and gets him to turn himself in.
• Teens that chased a kidnapping suspect on their bikes and save 5-year-old girl.
• The medical examiner that was fired for revealing that prosecuters threw the Zimmerman case.