For the greater part of last four months when coronavirus overwhelmed the entire world, the US has remained the focal point of global attention since it has been the worst sufferer. Even if it still remains so, talks are now brewing for an altogether different reason. The world’s most powerful nation is virtually burning and the issue is the one that has always been counted as one of humanity’s most haunting and ugly spot- racism. Cities after cities are now up in flames after the brutal murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man at the hands of police in Minneapolis. The current protests which have now taken a pan-American character within just two days or so of the May 25 incident, without an iota of doubt, is the most vociferous of its kind since the 1960s when the non-violent civil rights movement gave birth to the iconic mass leader named Martin Luther King. But significantly, it’s not the protests only that are attracting attention. What has bewildered everyone is the hardline attitude of President Donald Trump and it will require little analysis to single it out as one of the frontline reason for escalation of unrests.

Before putting Trump ‘deliveries’ under lenses, the protests and their nature will demand a closer look. It must be kept in mind that they have flared up in scales beyond imagination of the White House and as on Wednesday were continuing unabated despite the escalating morbid fear of the virus. But, above all, it must be the enormous and increasing participation by the white youths who are standing unfailingly in solidarity with their black brethren that is the other interesting feature, besides the by and large non-violent quality of the ‘revolt’. Coming to Trump, his tweet: “…When the looting starts, the shooting starts” has thus far remained the single-most inflammable contributor to the demonstrations which is exhibiting clear signs of graduating to the levels of anarchy. His threat to fill the streets with army to tame the protesters will come next and it can be presumed that if this attitude is sustained, it will compel the world to utter the old saying “ God save America”.

This incident has once more shown that despite being the most powerful nation in world and essentially a vibrant democracy, America has failed to stamp out racism, its deepest fault line perhaps. A different angle cannot be overlooked either which is the chance of polarisation of US votes i.e. white votes in November elections where Trump will be desperately seeking a re-election. If this really happens, it will be most unfortunate both for the US and world.

Meanwhile, one can’t deny the bitter truth- racism hasn’t been erased fully from America. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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