No Justice in Ignorance

Chapter 55

Don Lacey

Karen Grace wants to join protests; an older and wiser man advises she learn the real history – 2020

Freedom, freedom

Freedom, freedom Freedom,

freedom Freedom, freedom

- Richie Havens – Freedom    Richie Havens – Paris Live 1969


No Justice in Ignorance

“Where you are going Miss Parker?”

“I was going join the protests. No Justice No Peace”

“As a Black man I appreciate all you, White people, coming out and joining in the protests, but you are not going to change anything by yourself. It is risky out there.”

“I just couldn’t stay up there and ignore life any longer.”

“Come here and look at my television screens.”

“This is the first night, people are angry, people are scared, and troublemakers are out. The people upstairs have called a couple of times checking that the building is safe. Why don’t you sit here and let me tell you about being a Black man in this country?”

“OK I guess other than hello I have never spoken to you. We just came back here after it seemed Covid-19 was under control in Seattle. I was finishing my Freshman year at college when school was closed down.”

“I was in the Air Force; I was an MP for thirty years. I retired and got a security job. When they opened this building five years ago, I started working here. My oldest daughter is a grade school principal in Renton. My son is in Oakland California, he organizes youth sports. My youngest is a nurse working to become physician’s assistant. I am not saying my life is a bad one; it is not. I was filled with pride with President Obama and his family, weren’t they wonderful?’’

“Yes, a good family and Obama was far better than our current president.”

“Even though for the most part I see great things in this country. Sometimes out of nowhere your Blackness is an issue. A policeman pulls you over for nothing. As you leave a convenience store when traveling you overhear someone making slurs. In our neighborhood most everyone gets along, but one woman won’t talk to us. I work my being an MP in if I do confront a policeman because I have to sometimes. I am a fellow policeman. If I left to protest especially up around Capitol Hill where it is looks hot tonight. I am very likely to get pepper sprayed. I look like I am a threat. Too many police think African American means threat. You wouldn’t look like a threat, but if you got obnoxious or they decide to clear an area out. You could get hurt.”

“Did Obama being president awake people’s racism or is Trump fanning the flames?”

“Racism is like a virus. It is lurking even when dormant. It reoccurs sometimes without a trigger. Obama brought the racism to the surface and Trump exploited it. Trump’s 'Real American' approach has been around for a very long time. Are you aware of the Tulsa Oklahoma massacre of Black Wall Street in 1920’s, or the Colfax or Coushatta massacres in Louisiana in 1870’s? Did you know there were over one hundred lynchings in the 1930’s? Many people who saw those were in World War Two and Korea, they didn’t like Truman integrating the military. “

“No, I haven’t heard or know any of it.”

“You probably wouldn’t have learned about it in history class. It is the unpleasant history. It is the denied history. No none of it is taught in most schools. A MP has to spend time waiting and I was sent to the Middle East. I began reading. I read W.E.B. DuBois, Eric Foner, and James Baldwin. You should watch that Henry Louis Gates special on PBS. It is not in some far-off past some of it carries through to the present. The children of the men who waved those rebel flags and beat John Lewis and Martin Luther King were in the military I served in. Trump told them they shouldn’t feel wrong. He was just like them. Trump has allowed the hatred to parade down the street like the KKK did in the 1920’s. I am glad you want to go protest, and they need all people out making them listen. It would be so much better if the protesters also learned the history.”

“We do not learn history because it makes us uncomfortable?”

“It is dangerous to make White folks uncomfortable. That’s what is going on out there; they are making White folks uncomfortable. Maybe it is different this time, maybe Trump brought out what was hidden and more of the rich White people are aware of it now. We can hope and pray for that, but I warn you it is dangerous especially for the people who are not White. I worry for my kids and grandkids.”

“I think most young people see it different. I think they will demand changes.”

“I pray you are right. You can go protest, then come in, say hi to me. You just go upstairs to your White world. Today’s talk of institutional racism doesn’t affect your life. It won’t tomorrow if everyone forgets about it.”

“I should look up this Henry Louis Gates special instead of protest?”

“I think it would help, on the list I have Karen Parker and Tom Parker – you must be the Karen.”

“It has gotten to be embarrassing to be the meme for racism.”

“Be the Karen who knows the real history. You could change your name to Keisha, I’ll still be Black can’t just change my name. Neither can my grandkids.”

“I’m thinking of using my middle name Grace.”

“I like Grace a nice name.”

“Why don’t you write down the name of those books, and I will go back upstairs and find that documentary on PBS.”

“I will Karen or Grace, I doubt there are any blonde-haired Keisha’s.”

“Now I feel I should learn more to even protest. “

“Protesting is good but more prominent people like you being informed may have more effect.”

“What is your name?”

“My last name is Henderson, and I was a sergeant in the Air Force. Most people call me Sarge.”

“I will use Sarge from now on.”

“I will call you Keisha each time you come in or maybe Grace.”

“Thank you Sarge. I’ll head upstairs and become more informed.”

“If all Americans did, things would change. Grace is a great name; everyone needs more Grace.”





Photo of painting by Don Lacey / friend to view all paintings