The tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina following the events in Baltimore, Ferguson, Missouri, and so many other places in America is stimulating the usual and warranted hand-wringing about the undeniably sad state of race relations in this country. But once again the public discourse is dominated by red herrings; each important in their own right, but red herrings in this context.
RED HERRING NUMBER ONE: The Confederate flag flying on the grounds of the state capitol of South Carolina. Yes, it is an important and ugly symbol of a system devoted to and built on slavery. Yes, it should be removed. No, it is not about tradition and “southern values” which are likewise built on enslavement and mistreatment of African – Americans. But the Confederate flag did not kill anyone.
RED HERRING NUMBER TWO: Hand wringing about the troubled state of racial relations in America. This has been an issue since before the foundation of the republic and is an integral part of the history and culture of the country. Racism is reprehensible. But with the outcome of the Civil War, and the legal changes coming out of the civil rights movement, the legal foundation for its continued application in America is largely gone. What is left is a deep animus that resides in the hearts of many white people, and a deep resentment among those wronged but there is little that the community can do to eliminate it beyond condemning it from pulpit and podium.
RED HERRING NUMBER THREE: Working through the grief. The families of murder victims, whether as a result of terrorism or of hate crimes or simple crime, have undergone an unspeakable catastrophe in their lives. The loss of loved ones creates a grief that cannot be assuaged by speeches and sermons. Political posturing of solidarity and sympathy, however heartfelt, is mandatory. Faith in God may make them feel better but it will not bring back the loved ones. And it will not prevent the next atrocity.
Society as a set of institutions cannot do anything much about these red herrings and it is a mistake to focus our attention on them. The real issue is WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? The answer is straightforward. As a society, it is important to talk about symbols and racial animus and the power of faith and forgiveness. But these debates change nothing. The only area in which real action can be taken to prevent the next tragedy is gun control.
We should repeal the Second Amendment. Gun licenses should be treated like driving licenses; not as a right but as a privilege that must be earned and that can be revoked upon evidence of bad behavior. And please don’t give me that BS about how guns are needed to defend our liberties; it is from those who make that argument that we must defend ourselves.