Kindja²

On May 25th 2020, the world witnessed a tragedy that sparked global outrage: a white police officer murdered George Floyd, a 46-year-old african american man in Minneapolis. This horrific event became a symbol of systemic racism and the countless injustices faced by Black communities worldwide.

The psychological and societal impact of racial oppression

In the aftermath, Trevor Noah‘s powerful words on racial oppression offer a lens through which we can understand the deep psychological and societal impacts of such injustice: « Imagine living in a community, every single day someone is there oppressing you… What that does to you as a society, as a community, as a group of persons? It’s happening to you because you’re the only one having that skin color ». Noah’s words highlight the trauma inflicted by racial discrimination, a trauma that is deeply embedded in society and passed down across generations.

Racial injustice knows no borders

Similar events of racial injustice have occurred worldwide. On June 2nd, 2020, an investigation revealed that Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old Black man from the suburbs of Paris, died from asphyxiation after being detained by French police in 2016. His death serves as a stark reminder that racial oppression is not confined to the United States. It transcends borders and highlights systemic issues that continue to affect Black communities worldwide.

A system of power

Racism is not simply a matter of individual prejudice — at its core, it is about power. It operates as a system that structure social relations, both internally and internationally, systematically privileging one group over others. This power imbalance is upheld by societal institutions — such as the police, the justice system, and education — systems that maintain the status quo and perpetuate inequality. The refusal to implement effective corrective policies not only strengthens these structures, but makes it harder to dismantle the system of racial oppression. After all, why would those in power have any interest in giving up their privileges?

The call for actions

As Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1984, once said, « If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor ». In times of violence and inequality, silence is complicity. It is crucial that we recognize the interconnectedness of these struggles and actively work towards dismantling the structures that perpetuate racial injustice.

Racial oppression is not just history; it is a current reality that demands commitment to education for change. Friendly reminder: scientifically speaking, races do not exist.