Dear Dean Magazine: September 2023

M Y R O N J . C L I F T O N
In things big — like politics and law enforcement, and
differently big— like representation in television,
movies, and sports management and ownership, the
fights keep us stuck in a past we didn’t create and a
present we are desperately trying to change.
Every one of America’s problems that are on repeat
can be instantly fixed if the majority of population
decided to do so.
It really is that simple.
And that unreachable.
The nation needs an expert therapist with experience
in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal
Psychotherapy to really get into the muck and surface
the issues that we know the nation has and needs to
resolve. Then with openness and honesty, strategize
specific time-based steps to address the issues that are
holding the country back.
We have to confront the denial that chattel
enslavement was bad and among the worst atrocities
in human history. Like any marriage that is on the
rocks, the issues won’t go away just because they are
ignored. They’ll get worse and more intense and the
couple’s reactions will become more extreme. We see
some of this playing out now with insurrections, Nazis
in Florida proudly waving their flag, proud boys, and
oath-keeper violence, and entire swaths of the
population refusing to believe proven science.
We also see it in online harassment of Black people,
especially Black women, all other women, and every
other minority group… by the majority here and
likeminded people from many other European nations.
The most popular version being that of the election of
Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, but we see as much
if not more backlash to the ascendance of VP Kamala
Harris.
VP Harris is already addressing the same lies and
misinformation about her prior career as she did
before then candidate Biden selected her to be his
running mate. And despite all her work these past
three years, she’s still fighting the mass media’s
determination to cut her down and knock her back to
another era.
While the Obama and VP Harris backlash continues to
harm the nation, the broader truth is that every
advance by every minority is met with backlash.
Whether we are a fictional mermaid, world class
sprinter or tennis professional, Grammy or Emmy
winner, a valedictorian, or customer service agent
recently promoted, backlash happens.
Whether we are trying to learn our history in school,
worship the way we want, love the way we want, wear
our hair the way we want, or laugh and dance the way
we want — we have to re-fight for every inch.
There’s no grace in the present just like there was
none in the past.
We and our children and young adults are fighting the
same fight our parents and grandparents fought and
by the looks of it, the same fights our kids and
grandkids will fight.
There is a way forward but there’s no going forward
without steps being taken.
And like any project or problem the best time to start
is right now.
Many say that every progress the country makes is
immediately followed by harsh backlash from the
majority.
DEAR DEAN MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2023 | p.28