Even after the election of Barrack Obama, the first African American to hold the highest office in the land, there remains lurking reminders of the ugly history of racism and prejudices of America. Indeed our President may be black, but old habits die hard and age old prejudices and tensions remain strong.
In a small town of Benndale, Miss., at approximately 5:40 AM, high school student and heavily recruited RB Billey Joe Johnson Jr. lost his life. The George County Sheriff's department claims Johnson committed suicide in a routine traffic stop as witnessed by Deputy Joe Sullivan. The family and many friends of the promising football star not only dispute this account, but argue that Johnson was brutally murdered. In a small Southern town where tensions between blacks and whites remain dormant, but ever lurking, speculations swirl as to the true nature of Billey Joe's death. Deputy Sullivan's patrol car was not equipped with a camera, leaving the true nature of events only to the knowledge of Sullivan and Billy Joe.
The technical aspects of the case, as well as the many irregularities of the circumstances surrounding Billey Joe's death, are important in finding the truth. But the greater impact this tragic death has shown is the reality of racism and prejudice which remains even into the 21st century. Even after a historic presidential election and a Super Bowl in which a black head coach led his team to victory, there remains the ugly truth; centuries of segregation and prejudice simply does not disappear with a few court cases or "historic" events. Are we so ignorant as to assume that hate does not still permeate the minds of many? That racism is dead and we live in a color blind society? Now, that being said, the greatness of our progress in these matters was supremely demonstrated in this past Super Bowl between the Steelers and the Cardinals. Coach Mike Tomlin of the Steelers became only the second black coach to win a Super Bowl, yet this was largely unnoticed by the national media and even by the millions of viewers around the world. And this was a good thing. Why? It demonstrated that perhaps the nation had begun to move past the racial sensitivites of our past, and enter a truly color blind era in which a black CEO or even President would not cause even the slightest stir.
In a country made of immigrants in that we are all descendants of immigrants, the issue of racism remains just that, an issue. Yes, we have made great strides as a nation since the times of segregation and slavery, but true equality must be an equality in the hearts and minds of the people of all races, not simply an equality based on court cases and firsts. In many years, when we of this country who are part of the latest generation have children and grandchildren, this gneration must instill the principles of love and understanding to the later generations. Only then can this nation rise out of our ugly past and move onto a future without incidents. A future without special interest groups posturing for support in racially charged times. A future where Billey Joe Johnson is still living and running on a football field. In a sport with its athletes predominantly African American, only 3.4% of all Divison 1-A college football head coaches share the same skin color as the vast majority of their players. Perposterous? Yes. But people will say this is the way its always been and its the way it'll always be.
But why does it have to be? Most likely no one will know how Billey Joe Johnson lost his life that fateful morning, but his story has opened the sore that no one wanted to acknowledge after these historic past few months. The state of Mississippi will release its own investigation as soon as next week, and no matter what is said the tragedy of Billey Joe Johnson Jr. remains a deadly scenario waiting to be played in small towns and big cities all across this nation, unless something is done.
R.I.P. Billey Joe Johnson Jr.
(1991-2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5A564ex3Mk
The tragic story of Billey Joe
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