Tears flow, hearts pound, chests convulse and despair permeates the air as the African-American community in the United States mourns once again because of white supremacy. Payton Gendron, a white adult male, 18, traveled more than 200 miles from his home, staked out the predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York, and then executed 10 innocent residents as they shopped at Tops supermarket. The hate-filled mass murderer was calmly and lovingly arrested by white police officers, who routinely hunt down and murder unarmed Black residents as they walk, play in the park, patronize restaurants and movie theaters, drive, go to the store or sleep in their own beds at home. Notable unarmed victims include Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Travyon Martin, Tamir Rice and George Floyd.
Decked out in combat gear and body armor while brandishing an AK-15 military grade assault rifle, Gendron scoped out his targets and unleashed a barrage of bullets, determine to rid the world of Black people. According to his rambling manifesto that he copied from other white supremacist extremists, Black people are “taking over” and “replacing” white residents. It was his duty to halt this vast replacement theory from going further, his manifesto disclosed. He was allowed to roam free and terrorize Black residents after his high school reported him to law enforcement for threats that he made. Nevertheless, his whiteness shielded him because his targets were Black.
African-Americans in the United States experience trauma in every sphere of life. This latest massacre is no exception. It is vital for members of the African-American community to remain in a perennial state of alert, guarded, careful and focused on ensuring safety and well-being. The fact that this atrocity took place during May, Mental Health Awareness Month, means that even greater effort is needed to link Black families to appropriate mental health services to promote healing, support and coping skills.
As a community, African-Americans are enveloped in trauma, fear and grief daily. It is a disturbing feature of being Black in America. Routine activities could lead to Black deaths. White supremacist law enforcement officials relish hunting, assaulting and killing Black Americans. Various all-white communities extol the virtues of the Ku Klux Klan, while boosting the profiles of white bigots who gain large social media followings. Racism and white supremacy are intertwined in the American culture and form the basis on which the country was founded, and developed, on the backs of Blacks who were stolen from their homeland: Africa. After a cursory expression of condolence, life returns to normal, until the next incident. Now is time for action. It is time to end the steady reign of terror on Black lives.
