By steps, a city can easily move from inequality to racism. In my city, they started in the late nineties to curry favor with certain groups and leaders, which in the past, had formed opposition to their government programs. In order to cement their relationships, the city, which was already following a lawless course, just took it a step further and became partners in crime with a crooked element in the community. This group was intent on following an illegal objective and together with the city, their relationship became a house of cards. If one goes down, they all go down. Who can shake that when law enforcement agencies refuse to get involved?
Without any oversight, these crooked relationships just got stronger. It was easy to buy loyalty in the community by funneling public money to the "right people." This is easy to do under these private-public partnerships, where no one is holding government accountable for due process violations. And when I say, no one is holding them accountable. I mean, no one. Most people laugh it off as a good ole boy culture. But, as I see it, it is white privilege.
For minorities, there are high stakes. The good ole boys groups are not only getting the best of federal and state grant dollars, but they can also be relied on to send donations to the right political candidates. They, in turn, are able to shut down law enforcement investigations. This keeps the malfeasance in government, alive and well.
So, what started as inequality, becomes a racist vehicle when state and federal money consistently overlooks large sectors of Latino and Black communities.
This is happening today with the knowledge of law enforcement agencies. And as long as they keep their heads shoved up their asses, inequality is here to stay.
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