We are currently grappling with the challenging legacy of our ancestry as white individuals, who have yet to confront the shadows cast by both our forebears and ourselves in the present.

It is crucial for white individuals to engage in dialogue among themselves regarding their own prejudices. This essential conversation can catalyze significant change; once it starts, particularly within families, the grip of white privilege will diminish dramatically, never to regain its previous oppressive form. The deceptions and injustices of white privilege, which tarnish the dignity of all humanity and distort the essence of divine love, must be eradicated.

In an alarming turn of events, Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky is obstructing an anti-lynching bill. It is shocking to realize that a bill to criminalize lynching has not been passed long ago, and it is even more shocking that he is delaying its enactment during the week of George Floyd's memorial service, whose lynching exemplifies the persistent, unofficial apartheid undermining the foundations of America.

The roots of apartheid in the United States trace back four centuries to the era of slavery. We acknowledge this history, but often from a distance that allows us to remain unscathed. If we are white, we may comfortably recite these truths without confronting the moral decay that lurks beneath American society due to our history of racial oppression. We are haunted by this collective nightmare, even as we allow it to persist.

In recent weeks, courageous individuals have united across the nation and the globe to vehemently oppose racism. Millions of participants, many of whom are white, have demonstrated their commitment to the welfare of all who endure the suffering caused by racism.

Conversely, many white individuals cling to misguided beliefs, indifference, or, in the worst cases, animosity. They are the ones who fear the concept of equality the most, worried that those who are not white might flourish.

Those who subscribe to this mindset are spiritually more lifeless than they will ever be in death.

A leader who prioritizes the inherent worth of all people can shift perceptions, creating a ripple effect of change. However, fear often prevails in the face of corrupted leadership. The wrong leaders can rapidly instill fear, exploiting its sources and amplifying its destructive impact—a reality that America currently faces, albeit not for the first time.

Yet, an ordinary person can also rise with extraordinary bravery when leadership falters or neglects justice and compassion. This is exemplified in figures like Gandhi, Thoreau, Rosa Parks, and the courageous young woman who filmed George Floyd's tragic murder. Their actions have left an indelible mark on the world.

Tragically, lynching—which Senator Paul is obstructing from being recognized as a crime—remains a systemic form of unofficial apartheid that white individuals have never fully challenged. This brutal practice has been utilized by whites to dominate black individuals throughout American history. The prevalence of lynching surged after 1835 and peaked during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, continuing to manifest in modern law enforcement.

For instance, the 1915 film "Birth of a Nation," wrongly celebrated as a classic, glorified lynching and the Ku Klux Klan, receiving enthusiastic approval from white audiences, including a screening at the White House under President Woodrow Wilson.

"Lynching is a premeditated extrajudicial killing by a group. It is most often used to characterize informal public executions by a mob to punish an alleged offender or intimidate a community."

The violence perpetrated by mobs aimed to establish white supremacy, with lynching rates surging again in the 1920s and after World War II, culminating in highly publicized incidents like George Floyd's death.

In Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel Dune, the protagonist notes that "Fear is the mind-killer," which resonates when considering the courage required to advocate for justice and refuse silence. African Americans have resisted through protests, marches, lobbying, and organizing against lynching, even when faced with a largely unsupportive white population. This resistance demanded immense bravery and the fortitude to confront fear.

The current protests reflect a diverse array of voices rejecting silence and fear, challenging the deeply ingrained nightmare of white privilege that has plagued society for generations.

The last recorded lynching by hanging occurred in 1981, but the act has evolved beyond mere physical executions. During the 2020 pandemic, a man staged a symbolic lynching of a dummy representing the Governor of Kentucky, underscoring the persistent relevance of this issue. Yet, the Senate has still not passed a law against lynching.

Some may claim that apartheid is not applicable to America; however, it undeniably exists. Historically, apartheid in South Africa was defined as the systematic segregation and oppression of nonwhite populations. Today, it is recognized as "any system or practice that separates people according to color, ethnicity, or caste."

From its inception, the United States has perpetuated a relentless form of political, social, and economic apartheid against African Americans. Recent revelations, such as the 1921 Tulsa massacre, where police colluded with white aggressors to kill black citizens, highlight the atrocities often omitted from our history books. The police have historically favored whites, a reality that has only begun to be acknowledged in recent years.

Ironically, while the U.S. initiated sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid policies, it has allowed a form of unofficial apartheid to persist within its own borders. The historical context of lynching illustrates this point clearly, revealing the undeniable crimes against humanity in the ongoing oppression of black Americans.

Unless white individuals confront their role in this systemic violence—acknowledging their emotional, psychological, and physical assaults on others—this darkness will continue to prevail.

We may be at a pivotal moment, witnessing the decline of an outdated paradigm. This period is unprecedented in American history; those who believe in their superiority may finally confront their own darkness, choosing between remaining in that abyss or stepping into the light of compassion and healing for all.

To ensure the survival of the republic, white individuals must reject systemic racism and acknowledge their complicity in its existence. We must act now.

We must eradicate the demon of racism that infects every aspect of our lives and, importantly, purge it from our own hearts.

How can this be achieved? White individuals need to engage in conversations about racism with one another. This dialogue is seldom undertaken, as if a wall of silence has been erected throughout our upbringing. Many white individuals' racist actions stem from a profound lack of awareness, perpetuated by an unspoken agreement to remain silent.

The time has come for these crucial conversations to begin. Remarkable change is possible; once this silence is broken and white individuals discuss their racism, particularly within their families, the grip of white privilege will weaken exponentially, never to regain its former strength. The illusions and misconceptions surrounding white privilege must be dismantled.

Equality represents the realization of a long-held dream, a fundamental right for all.

The dialogue must commence.

Regina Clarke is an author of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. Having lived on all three coasts and in England, she now finds her true home in the scenic Hudson River Valley, with the Shawangunk Mountains—part of the ancient Appalachian range—visible from her writing space. Follow her on Twitter @ReginaClarke1. She is the author of Voices from the Old Earth, Guardians of the Field, and MARI. Her blog frequently explores themes of hope and inspiration.

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