Black History Month is an appropriate time to reflect upon the past, present, and future of race relations in the United States. The past is comprised of multiple cycles of progress followed by massive resistance to racial equality and justice. Today the resistance to racial equality and justice manifests in the drumbeat of criticism against initiatives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It is in the prevailing view of many Americans that the hiring or promotion of a person is presumed to be based on merit only if the skin of the person is of one particular color.

It is in efforts to stifle the teaching of Black U.S. history and systemic racism, and in efforts to dilute Black voting. It is in the acceptance of the KKK and similar organizations within the voting coalition of one of the leading candidates for the U.S. presidency. It is in the knee-jerk response of too many Americans who ignorantly label equality initiatives as “communist” or “divisive” or “racist” or “unnecessary.” America is a great country for many millions of people, but some Americans do not want America to be great for all Americans, and do not want the arc of the moral universe to bend toward justice. Black History Month is an appropriate time for America to re-dedicate itself to its founding principle: that all people are created with the equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Charles Ajootian

Alexandria