Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 5-22-20

Editorials/Column
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Blacks And Pre-Coronavirus
he Coronavirus could
very well change the history of Blacks in America if we as a people do not take immediate and decisive ac- tion to change our culture of socializing; adjust our prac- tice of rituals (i.e. family gatherings and celebrations); change our way of greeting each other without hugs, kisses, handshakes and fist bumps; and practically everything else about how we acted before the advent of Coronavirus.
One pretty young Black mother of three was over- heard to say, “I can’t be both- ered with all this lockdown stuff, and I am definitely not wearing a mask and worry- ing about using gloves when I go to the store. I’m also going to hang out with my girlfriends whenever I want to. And “them” kids are about to drive me crazy.”
I certainly hope this young woman’s attitude is a minority opinion.
Otherwise, at the rate Blacks are being infected and dying from the COVID-19 virus, the Black population in America could be reduced more significantly than at any other time in this na- tion’s history by the time a cure or vaccine for the virus is found. In fact, historians may well write that we com- mitted mass suicide because we refused to stay safe in our homes; some of us had wild house parties even during the peak of virus infections; we refused to wear masks; we refused to stop hugging, kissing and doing bumps and handshakes; and we dis-
missed social distancing as unnecessary.
Why else are so many of us getting sick and dying from the Coronavirus?
I don’t know about you, but until a cure or vaccine for the Coronavirus is found, I don’t want America to return to “normal.” Going forward, we need to move beyond our old normal to a “new nor- mal,” for both the family of brown people and the dys- functional family called America.
You see, our old normal was one of, “I’m going to do you before you do me, disre- spect and lack of courtesy for each other, and waning com- passion.”
It was a time when hate flourished and Americans along with white militia wearing guns protested be- cause they were mad that they had to stay at home and practice social distancing to avoid more than seventy per- cent of the American popula- tion becoming infected with Coronavirus.
The old normal was one in which white supremacist groups planned to use the Coronavirus to infect Blacks, Hispanics, Law Enforce- ment, and other groups.
In fact, the old normal
was one in which FBI counter-terrorism officials saw a rise in hate groups that practiced, promoted and car- ried out hateful crimes against every group that you can imagine. Moreover, they killed at least forty people over the past year.
Indeed, our new normal must not include hundreds of white police officers who are members of white su- premacy groups. The old normal was one in which Blacks feared to drive, walk, or ride bicycles without being harassed by law en- forcement officials, and it was one in which the courts said Blacks who wear dread- locks could be denied em- ployment because of their hair style.
The old normal is one in which the levels of emission of methane, carbon dioxide, and other hydro-carbons, some of the major cause of global warming, is sched- uled to reach a point that our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be chok- ing on polluted air they breathe.
No, there was nothing normal about the pre- Corona era. So, let’s pledge to do our part to create a a new normal – one in which people truly care about and respect each other; one where we engage in making our air clean for future gen- erations, one where we prac- tice love instead of hate; one where we show compassion, and tolerance for all people, and one where we raise lov- ing, caring, compassionate, and productive children.
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
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Corona Changes Business Rules
In Michigan, an AR-15 toting mask-less mob threatened the governor if she doesn’t allow local business to return to normal.
In St. Petersburg, Florida, gym proprietors protest be- cause the City and State refuse to allow them to reopen their line of business.
Seemingly, too many small business owners have made a choice between bankruptcy and death. Obviously, they chose the latter. So, this Editorial will discuss a list of issues to con- sider for small business owners who would rather die than switch.
A quip floating around Facebook, “Mask It Or Casket,” says it all. Could it be, Americans who protest having to wear masks to keep themselves and others from contracting COVID-19 have a hidden suicide wish? People have been shooting, beating each other up, and engaging in other selfish and senseless confrontations over wearing or not wearing masks.
Indeed, the Pandemic has caused some people to lose all sense of compassion and respect for people with risky med- ical conditions and the elderly. A security guard was killed and several women have been taunted and beaten, by men, no less.
Even though the CDC, governors and health officials say we should wear masks, mask-wearing should have been made mandatory. Other rules should have been required for open- ing up businesses. Employees with risky health conditions should be allowed to take extra time off if the company does not require mask-wearing of employees and customers.
In the interest of public safety, until a vaccine or success- ful treatment is discovered, we suggest every American should be required to wear a mask (and encouraged to wear gloves) when entering or working in a public facility where serving food and drinks and touching surfaces and items take place.
In fact, businesses should be allowed to refuse to serve customers who refuse to wear masks. Moreover, businesses that cannot accommodate social distancing should be re- quired to serve customers by appointment or take-out only, and to rearrange their business space to accommodate the re- quired six- foot social distancing in work and customer seat- ing areas.
Sadly, videos are surfacing on social media showing crowded beaches, standing room only bars and restaurants obviously, with too many people for the available space. Thus, if you don’t want to wear a mask, at least have the courtesy and decency to stay six feet or more from other people.
Keep your death wishes to yourself.
Office Closed Monday
In observance of Me- morial Day, on Monday, May 25, 2020, the Sen- tinel Office will be closed.
We welcome you to re- turn Tuesday morning, May 26th, 9 a. m., to con- duct business.
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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-A