By Houleye Thiam

The numbers are in, and they are not looking good.

In the major cities that got hit the most by COVID19, African Americans and minorities have been the biggest losers – from New York to Detroit and to New Orleans the numbers are staggering.  They tell a story; they draw a clear correlation between structural racism and the deaths of Black and Brown people in this country.

They are shining a light on an issue that has been talked about for generations, but about which, not much has been done, to truly address.

When asked about the issue, President Donald Trump said, “ I don’t like it”. Well Mr. President that is utterly not enough, “I don’t like it” is merely not a good enough answer for the communities that are dropping like flies, during the worse pandemic in our recent history.

While these numbers are disastrous, the surprise is the in the surprise.

“I sure hope that America, will not miss out on this golden opportunity, that is the COVID 19 PANDEMIC, to bring about profound structural change, which is crucial for its lifeline”

Why are we surprised as a country, when we are told that African Americans and minorities are the ones that are the most hit by this pandemic, when we know that they have been the ones that had been the most affected, by everything else?

They are the ones with the highest rates of diabetes, asthma etc., they are the ones that are least likely to have health insurance, because of their socio-economic status.

Why are we surprised, when we know that they are one of the groups that have the highest numbers of incarcerations and homelessness.

Why are we surprised as a country, when we know that America has buried its head in the sand, and has refused to address systemic structural racism, and race related inequities for decades on end.

Have the chickens come home to roost? One may ask!

While this is no time for finger pointing, I do hope that these numbers can be used as a guiding light, on what we need to tackle as a nation.

Often disastrous moments in history are opportunities, for deep reflection, healing, and profound change, I sure hope that America, will not miss out on this golden opportunity, that is the COVID 19 PANDEMIC, to bring about profound structural change, which is crucial for its lifeline.

I ‘am cautiously optimistic….

(Houleye Thiam writes from Columbus, Ohio)