America’s Other Face

In my column last Friday entitled “America’s Two Faces,” I examined how it is that the U.S., which enjoys the status of the most advanced country in a number of fields, including in science and technology, has managed to come apart at the seams in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, and I drew attention to the two different faces of the country.

As those words were being published, another event was unfolding, one which would also show the “ugly face” which contrasts with the United States’ image as the world’s most advanced and powerful country.

At first glance, the incident, which took place in Minnesota, appeared to be the type of murder which happens from time to time in the United States, namely the killing of a black man by police. But the nature of this one was so different, and so incendiary, that it brought the entire nation to its feet.

Having arrested him on suspicion of committing a minor crime, the police killed 46-year-old George Floyd in a brutal fashion, strangling him. Because the incident played out in front of cameras, it was witnessed live in America and by entire world, along with Floyd’s desperate cries of “I can’t breathe.”

The developments which have followed this tragic event have gone far beyond reaction to past behavior of police who act belligerently toward black people in some states, and have rocked the United States to its core.

Dangerous Dimensions

There are several dimensions to the Floyd killing that have led to the conflict across the United States.

The first dimension is that racist police officers who hate black people brutally killed a black man they had arrested in front of everyone. This moved black people in the state to pour into the streets in protest, a movement which spread across the country in waves.

The second dimension is that the protests turned violent when a group of protesters began to vandalize and set fire to their surroundings. At this point state officials were no longer content to use the local police force, and called in the National Guard. As a result, soldiers came face to face with civilians.

The third dimension is that President Donald Trump intervened with his inevitably aggressive and crude language, blaming leftists, and threatening to order soldiers to open fire, thereby completely stoking tensions during the situation. Meanwhile, the gulf between the White House and local officials (mayors and governors) became ever wider.

The Deeper Causes

Operating in the background as the Floyd protests spread are some deep causes which have brought certain failings of American society to the surface, failings which contrast with the “bright face” of the United States. Foremost among them is the continued existence of American racism, and the resulting animosity toward African Americans.

This actually has historical causes. In particular, white people in some states look upon African Americans as the descendants of black people who were brought from Africa in the 18th century as slaves. To this day, they view them as second-class citizens and treat them accordingly. While these white people may constitute a fringe part of the American population, they can occasionally make their presence felt.

Of course, this racist trend belies the civil rights reforms that have occurred since the 1960s and the change in mentality that led to the election of Barack Obama as president, and truly shows the other face of the United States.

The street protests triggered by the Floyd incident actually bear the hallmarks of a “social explosion.” Sure, the protests began peacefully. Then they devolved, tainted with looting and provocation, and turned into violence and chaos. No one in their right mind wants this, and yet it happens. This arises from the frustration, grievance, and rage of certain segments of society.

African Americans and Latinos are currently the major groups facing this situation in the United States. Of course, there are many of disaffected white people as well. At the moment, due to the coronavirus, there are 40 million people who are unemployed.

In short, the situation reflected by this other face of the United States is caused by socioeconomic problems and pressure.

Now, with the Floyd incident, these problems are becoming clearer. This truth is being acknowledged in the American press and in enlightened circles; as expressed by many commentators, the current moment “should be seen as an opportunity for change.”

As long as this change and awakening fail to occur, the “shining face” of the United States – despite being the face of a country at the helm of world leadership and which advocates for democratic values – will continue to be overshadowed by its crumbling “other face.”