By Kevin Palmer
Bureau of Labor Statistics data show in April 2019 the unemployment rate for Whites was 2.9 percent compared to 14.2 percent for April 2020. For Whites, the change represents a record high. Historically, when White unemployment goes high civility toward Blacks goes low.
In his book, The Falsification of Afrikan Consciousness, Dr. Amos Wilson explained, “The tendency is that when economic systems falter, the people begin to look around for scapegoats. They look around for the economically and politically weakest people.” In America, that’s Black people.
Wilson continues, “When the time of decline sets in, attitudes begin to change, and hostility begins to increase. And what once was a [amicable] relationship turns ugly, and persecution begins to occur.” The mistreatment of Blacks during the Great Depression serves as reminder.
Dr. Wilson warns, ‘Civilized behavior is often only a thin veneer over a very savage mentality. When the veneer is chipped by economic disaster [the civilized person today becomes tomorrow’s racist offender].”