Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
In Clamor to Reopen, Many Blacks Feel Their Safety Ignored
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
May 5, 2020

Share

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Many African Americans watching protests calling for easing restrictions meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus see them as one more example of how their health, their safety and their rights just don’t seem to matter.

To many, it seems that the people protesting — who have been predominantly white — are agitating for reopening because they won’t be the ones to suffer the consequences. So far, the facts are proving them right: The consequences of keeping some businesses open have been falling disproportionately on the shoulders of black people and other marginalized groups.

“There has always been a small, white ruling class that has been OK with seeing certain populations as disposable.” — LaTosha Brown, founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, a power-building organization based in the South 

“There has always been a small, white ruling class that has been OK with seeing certain populations as disposable,” said LaTosha Brown, founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, a power-building organization based in the South.

The pandemic has highlighted — and often deepened — gaping inequalities in the United States and around the world.

Black people are dying in disproportionate numbers from COVID-19 in the United States; people of color are especially exposed because they are more likely to hold many of the jobs that were deemed essential; and, as the reopening starts, they are likely to be among those whose workplaces open first. For instance, in New York City, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, black people make up just under 25% of the population, but more than 40% of public transit workers.

Delmonte Jefferson, a black public health professional in Atlanta, said African Americans and other people of color want to mitigate the economic damage as much as anyone else — especially since those groups are among the ones who are suffering the most from the downturn. But they don’t want a return at all costs, he said.

“Even the thought of opening the country back up shows that African Americans aren’t being valued,” said Jefferson, executive director of the Atlanta-based National African American Tobacco Prevention Network.

Some “reopen” protests have included black speakers, and a handful of black people have attended. But images of the rallies and Facebook pages dedicated to the movement indicate the vast majority of supporters are white.

Photo of volunteers wearing face shields
FILE – In this May 4, 2020, file photo, volunteers line up to begin taking hundreds of free COVID-19 tests at a pop-up site at the House of Hope in Decatur, Ga. Many African Americans watching protests calling for easing restrictions meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus see them as one more example of how their health, their safety and their rights just don’t seem to matter. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)

Many African Americans Say the Fact That Protesters Are Advocating a Riskier Path Reveals a Privileged Position

Demonstrators from Alabama to Michigan haven’t focused on race. Instead, they advocate preserving constitutional freedoms and talk about the catastrophic toll on small businesses. The protesters have included organized groups like anti-vaccine advocates, gun-rights supporters and even a militia, and many have expressed support for President Donald Trump, reflecting the way the discussion has become partisan.

But many African Americans say the fact that protesters are advocating a riskier path reveals a privileged position — as does their ability to flout social-distancing rules and even brandish weapons.

The complaints from protesters that their rights are being trampled, for instance, comes across as misinformed and misguided to racial minorities who have been oppressed for generations, said Nadia Richardson, who heads No More Martyrs, a nonprofit focused on the mental health of black women.

“It looks like from that perspective (it’s) a group of people who don’t really understand what it is to have your rights violated,” said Richardson.

Groups including the NAACP, meanwhile, have called for greater government action to prevent the virus’ spread in response to statistics showing that COVID-19 is killing disproportionate numbers of black people.

An Associated Press analysis of available state and local data shows that nearly one-third of those who have died are African American, with black people representing about 14% of the population in the areas covered in the analysis.

The toll in black communities, leaders say, reflects systemic policies that have made many African Americans far more vulnerable to the virus, including unequal access to health care and economic opportunity. That means many will face an untenable choice: go back to work or face unemployment with no benefits, said Antonio Lightfoot, an organizer for the Workers Center for Racial Justice in Chicago.

The Rev. William J. Barber, who advocates for groups that often perform front-line jobs, said black people aren’t the only ones being devalued.

Photo of protesters
FILE – In this April 20, 2020, file photo, protesters demonstrate at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., demanding that Gov. Tom Wolf reopen Pennsylvania’s economy even as new social-distancing mandates took effect at stores and other commercial buildings. Many African Americans watching protests calling for easing restrictions meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus see them as one more example of how their health and their rights just don’t seem to matter. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Nearly 70,000 People Have Died From the Coronavirus in the United States

“The issue is not what these protests are saying to just black people but what they are saying to poor and low-income people who are the most impacted,” said Barber. “Invitations to open up society and encourage people to return to their routines is an invitation to death.”

Nearly 70,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the United States, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University from official government numbers, although the true figure is likely higher. Most people who get infected suffer only mild or moderate symptoms, but some, especially the elderly and those with other health problems, become seriously ill.

Nearly 70,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the United States, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University from official government numbers, although the true figure is likely higher. Most people who get infected suffer only mild or moderate symptoms, but some, especially the elderly and those with other health problems, become seriously ill.

As the debate over reopening has become increasingly heated, some have used racist language or symbols.

Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is black and has been an outspoken critic of Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to allow some businesses to reopen, recently tweeted an image of a text message that demanded she reopen Atlanta and called her a racial slur. Confederate flags have been visible at some demonstrations, but far more American flags are evident.

Although Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, a survey conducted in mid-April from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed a partisan divide.

The survey showed that while majorities of Democrats and Republicans thought restrictions where they lived were about right, Republicans were roughly four times as likely to think they went too far — 22% versus 5%. The largely white protest attendance might simply reflect that divide since black voters are more likely to be Democrats.

Deanna Reed, who is black, has helped her church set up drive-thru virus testing and has personal reasons for wanting to maintain social distancing: Her mother works in a shipping facility where she has to provide her own masks and gloves.

“Just having to see my mom go out is tough,” said Reed. “I pray for her safety daily.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Visalia’s Keira Bixler Hopes Passion for Literacy Will Help Land Miss America’s Teen Title

DON'T MISS

Ex-Kansas Police Detective Found Dead on First Day of His Trial

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Man in Stolen Vehicle After Foot Chase, Seize Body Armor and Handgun

DON'T MISS

Community Health Wastes No Time Finding a New CEO

DON'T MISS

Check Out Santa’s List of Christmas Events in Fresno

DON'T MISS

Westlands Voters Back Board Incumbents to Handle Ag’s Big Challenges

DON'T MISS

MSNBC Hits Two-Decade Ratings Low Amid Trump Victory and Network Turmoil

DON'T MISS

Democrats Frustrated Over Joe Biden Reversing Course and Pardoning His Son

DON'T MISS

Killer Escapes in Delano. Residents Urged to Be Vigilant.

DON'T MISS

Kash Patel’s Threat to the Rule of Law

UP NEXT

More Than 3 Million Travelers Screened at US Airports in a Single Day. That’s a Record

UP NEXT

Heavy Snow Blankets Parts of the US During Busy Holiday Travel Weekend

UP NEXT

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Flies to Florida to Meet With Trump After Tariffs Threat

UP NEXT

Young Men Swung to the Right for Trump After a Campaign Dominated by Masculine Appeals

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on the BRIC Bloc of Nations if They Act to Undermine US Dollar

UP NEXT

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big Balloons, Wet Weather and 21 Protesters Arrested

UP NEXT

‘Misinformation Is an Attack on You’: Research Shows Alarming Increase in Social Media Manipulation

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Who Died in Highway 41 Crash Identified

UP NEXT

Do You Own a Pyrex Measuring Cup? You May Be Owed a Refund

UP NEXT

Trump Plans to Test Controversial ‘Impoundment’ Theory to Defund Programs He Opposes

Community Health Wastes No Time Finding a New CEO

9 hours ago

Check Out Santa’s List of Christmas Events in Fresno

9 hours ago

Westlands Voters Back Board Incumbents to Handle Ag’s Big Challenges

10 hours ago

MSNBC Hits Two-Decade Ratings Low Amid Trump Victory and Network Turmoil

10 hours ago

Democrats Frustrated Over Joe Biden Reversing Course and Pardoning His Son

11 hours ago

Killer Escapes in Delano. Residents Urged to Be Vigilant.

11 hours ago

Kash Patel’s Threat to the Rule of Law

12 hours ago

Top Democrats Vow to Make California Affordable Again

12 hours ago

This Disgraceful Pardon Is President Biden’s Final Feeble Act

13 hours ago

Davis Scores 33, LeBron Takes Over Late as Lakers Hold Off Jazz

13 hours ago

Visalia’s Keira Bixler Hopes Passion for Literacy Will Help Land Miss America’s Teen Title

This year’s Miss California’s Teen will head to Orlando, Florida, just after Christmas for her chance to bring the title Miss Am...

7 hours ago

7 hours ago

Visalia’s Keira Bixler Hopes Passion for Literacy Will Help Land Miss America’s Teen Title

Photo of caution tape
8 hours ago

Ex-Kansas Police Detective Found Dead on First Day of His Trial

Fresno Police arrested Eduardo Ochoa, 30, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, after he fled from a stolen vehicle while wearing body armor and carrying a firearm. (Fresno PD)
8 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man in Stolen Vehicle After Foot Chase, Seize Body Armor and Handgun

9 hours ago

Community Health Wastes No Time Finding a New CEO

9 hours ago

Check Out Santa’s List of Christmas Events in Fresno

10 hours ago

Westlands Voters Back Board Incumbents to Handle Ag’s Big Challenges

MSNBC recorded its lowest non-holiday ratings in two decades among key viewers, facing steep declines and mounting controversies post-Trump victory. (Shutterstock)
10 hours ago

MSNBC Hits Two-Decade Ratings Low Amid Trump Victory and Network Turmoil

President Joe Biden accompanied by his son Hunter Biden and his grandson Beau leave a book store as they walk in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
11 hours ago

Democrats Frustrated Over Joe Biden Reversing Course and Pardoning His Son

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend