We start a discussion on a issue making headlines. Nearly a month after Minnesota local George
Floyd died under the knee of a white police officer,... protestors continue to take to
the streets,... not only in America but across the Atlantic in Europe,... calling for an
end to police brutality based on race. The Black Lives Matter movement lives on because
the issue is more than skin deep. People around the world are taking a stand against injustices
and discrimination deeply rooted in society. To discuss this issue,... we have joining
us today Jared K. Clemons, a PHD candidate at Duke University studying the politics of
racial justice and Dr. Mark Shanahan, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of
Reading in the UK.
JC: President Trump this week signed an executive order on policing to reduce racism but there
have been concerns this only scratches the surface of
the issue. What
are your thoughts? Jared Clemons: According to McKinsey, African
Americans are twice as likely to live in COVID-19 infection hotspots. And nearly 40 percent
are likely to have had their work hours or pay compromised, or have been made redundant
over the course of the pandemic. How have the odds been weighed against black people
socially and economically in modern day America and why do you think these social injustices
and inequality remain to this day? Mark Shanahan: The BLM movement has made its
way across the Atlantic to Europe where thousands in the UK are also taking to the streets to
protest against racial discrimination and police brutality. How is BLM resonating with
the people there? MS: What has been the response by authorities
in the UK and
how
are
they
addressing this? To both: Racism is still seen by many as an
individual act of bad behavior, rather than a structural problem. How do you hope politicians
will address this issue? How should the discussion be directed?
To both: Black people and people of other ethnic minorities tend to be overrepresented
in sectors that are the most negatively affect by the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of aiding
the recovery from the pandemic, what can be done to help business owners and minority
workers back on their feet? We'll have
to wrap up the
discussion here. It was great
to hear your insights. Jared K.
Clemons
at Duke University in
North Carolina and Dr. Mark Shanahan at the University of Reading. Thank you for joining
us today.