RACISM

"Are Black Americans Degenerates?" Is The Type of Question We Shouldn't Ignore

This type of rhetoric is spreading like wildfire.

Group photo of African Americans at Roger Williams University in 1899 | Photo Credit | Library of Congress

Whenever Black Americans experience racism, we face a difficult decision. We can either address the racism and potentially get mired into a pit of bad faith arguments or ignore it altogether. But, the problem with ignoring bad faith arguments is they don't go away just because we don't have the patience to unravel the thread. Like a weed in the garden, racist talking points aim to cut off the supply of resources Black communities need and put all Black people in danger.

In the bottomless pit of the internet, a Twitter Spaces room asked, "Are Black Americans Degenerates?" And the answer is an unequivocal "no," though the hundreds of listeners didn't seem to think so. African Immigrants and White Supremacists tag-teamed Black Americans, claiming they are violent, lazy degenerates.

If you're not privy to the "diaspora wars," here's the rub. Some Black Americans perpetuate xenophobia against non-American Black immigrants. I'm sure you've heard of the group ADOS, which poorly represents the beliefs of Black Americans. They have spread lies about immigrants as if they are holding Black Americans back. Let's be clear. These claims have no merit. In…