Systemic Racism is Not the Problem

During the violent BLM riots during the summer of 2020 I was sitting up on our deck with several adults and I overheard one of the young kids that were playing in the pool say to her friends: “I would never marry a Mexican.”

I playfully yelled down: “[name withheld ], you can’t say that.”

Her response: “Mr Gonzalez, are you Mexican?”

Me:”Yes.”

Her:”Well I’m sorry, but that’s how I feel.”

I reflected on that dialogue that night while watching the news where the rioters were justifying their arson and looting by claiming they needed jobs.

I realized that the young girls parents had probably said things that might have been somewhat disparaging towards some of the people that might do some of the “menial” labor in their neighborhood.

But I wasn’t offended. What was obvious to me was that it is noble to come to America with nothing, buy a truck and a lawn mower and work your ass off cutting grass trying to make a better life for you and your family.

I realized that these rioters had been raised with the false narrative that they were victims of systemic racism instead of observing and being taught that there are jobs if you are willing to look and work your ass off.  Stop rioting and go out and buy a truck and a lawnmower and work your ass off.

The Democrats and mainstream media continue to blame systemic racism for disparities for their political advantage. But the data points to other things. Importantly, on average, immigrant blacks have outcomes similar to whites and do much better than native born blacks, so it was not clear how systemic racism was the primary problem. There is a dramatic difference between violent crime rates between blacks and whites. And anecdotally, based on my experience growing up in Gary Indiana, it always seemed that the environment one was raised in was a more important factor than the color of a person’s skin.

A new study has come out that reinforces the point that culture (environment) is an important factor in the economic success of children. If you are raised surrounded by people who are willing to find jobs, you will tend to be more successful than if you were surrounded by people who aren’t willing to find work.

https://opportunityinsights.org/paper/changingopportunity/

https://x.com/optimistcskeptc/status/1816816288578125881?s=46&t=Y4fVsDnz2q8uZ3VNKeco4A