The Rise of White Supremacy Across the Nation

Steve Adubato sits down with Ryan Haygood, Esq., President & CEO, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, to discuss the impact of slavery still seen in New Jersey today, the rise of white supremacy across the country and the argument for reparations.

12/7/2019 #126

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

"That's right, he's back. By popular demand. Our great friend, Ryan Haygood, President and CEO the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. How you doing my friend? It's great to be back Steve. Thanks for having me. So many things to talk about. And we'll start with this. You wrote a piece recently on the legacy of slavery. Because? Mm hmm. And why does it matter? Sure. So the... as you know, this is 2019. This marks the 400th anniversary year when 20 or so black people came to Jamestown, Virginia. And so there's really kind of a national conversation happening around this 400 year anniversary, which lead, then, to an institution of slavery, embraced by many states across the country. And there's an enduring legacy that followed slavery. And so there's been an opportunity, I think, in this anniversary year, to commemorate that year, and to talk about what happened from that point forward. Let's try this. Actually, this will also be seen in 2020. Where are we today? You and I have had so many... and I say this all the time, we've had so many offline conversations about race and race relations. Are we further apart than the last time we talked? You know, I think if there's a theme on the issue of race relations, it is that there is nothing inconsistent about, sort of, recognizing progress and then demanding more progress. So New Jersey's interesting. You know. Doctor King, some years ago, looked at the country and determined that America was really divided into two Americas. Right? So on one hand he said that kids grow up in the sunlight of opportunity. He said, on the other America, young people are perishing on a lonely island in a sea of prosperity. New Jersey, I think, is a modern day embodiment of Doctor King's two Americas. You know. We are, at once, one of the most racially diverse states in the country. We're also one of the most racially segregated states in the country. We're one of the wealthiest states in America. But that wealth exists alongside some really punishing poverty. And so, yes, I think there is... it's important to recognize progress, to be sure. But I think, you know, progress is not a destination that you arrive at and then stop. And so I think, at the moment, we recognize progress, but we also do some recognizing the challenges that have endured alongside that progress. So it's so interesting. People talk about progress, and the president, President Trump, will talk about black unemployment lower than... Sure. ...ever before. Sure. Look at the opportunities that have been there for African-Americans. We had an African-American president. Sure. Barack Obama. Two term. Very popular. Yeah. Why ..."