Last week was so pro-black, and I’m here for it. However, the past few days don’t automatically create equality among the races.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew announced Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson as the face of the $20 bill. Jackson is moving to the back.
It brings a smile to my face picturing the reaction of every racist person when they receive a Tubman bill in the check-out line at grocery stores. Yes, the lady on your money helped many of your ancestors’ slaves escape. Isn’t that fantastic?
I’m in agreement with every other black person on Facebook. If you’d like to discard your fresh $20 bill, I’ll happily accept it.
And when you thought the black praise couldn’t get any better, Beyoncé released her sixth studio album, “Lemonade.”
Beyoncé has always been the celebrity everyone loved. She played it safe and catered to all people. But now, you’d think she was president on the last year of her last term, clearing her mind as if it was a now or never situation.
She’s finally keeping everything real, creating music with messages the black community has wanted for years. She’s speaking the truth on black issues such as gender equality, relationships and injustices.
Beyoncé is one of the most powerful black women in the world, and the fact that she has practically dedicated a whole album to black culture is phenomenal.
Blacks: 2, racists: 0.
*Please note: that count is probably not accurate when you factor in all the black people who were either killed or wrongfully imprisoned last week.
Still, seeing black heroes and international celebrities at the forefront of the media is wonderful.
Now, more people will know about the underground railroad. More people will learn about black mothers grieving the loss of their sons killed from police brutality.
Between Harriet Tubman and Beyoncé, the world is recognizing black history, culture and issues. Last week’s events created more conversations to be had.
We must remember that, as amazing as this recognition is, the black community still faces inequalities among the school system, prison system, justice system and just about every other American system.
Black people weren’t suddenly made equal when Pres. Barack Obama was elected, and they’re not suddenly made equal because Tubman’s face will be on American currency.
The University had a black homecoming queen and king, but minority students didn’t suddenly feel more comfortable on campus.
However, I’m sure equality is what America wants black people to believe.
I can already hear the future responses the next time another police officer kills a black boy and the black community complains about injustice. “Your president is black, and Harriet Tubman is on the face on the $20 bill for crying out loud!”
Soon the $20 bill will become supposed proof for some that there is no reason for black people to “whine” about equality.
Let’s continue to draw more attention to racial injustice by voting and continuing to educate ourselves on where black people stand in America.
If we don’t educate ourselves, it will be easy to believe last week’s praise instantly made us equal to our white counterparts.
The black community has a duty to keep the conversation going, implement change and not become satisfied with recognition through currency or a new album.
Clarke Perkins is a 20-year-old political science sophomore from New Orleans, Louisiana.