Why Do Black Band-Aids Matter?

Why do black band-aids matter? People have scoffed at recent announcements that Live PD and Cops were cancelled (while ignoring that Live PD covered up the death of a black man), Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima would no longer grace store shelves, Walmart unlocked their minority hair care products, the Washington Redskins changed their name, and black band-aids would be produced. Surely more pressing matters face minorities in the United States?

The truth is, that is absolutely correct. Black people care more about police reform and attainable housing than black dolls. However, while changing brands and store policies will not address the issues emblematic of racism, doing so will help address the racism itself.

We have learned a lot about the system from how we reacted to these changes. People care more about syrup than the fact that Aunt Jemima is a minstrel character from the 1890s and more about some team spirit than they do about the fact that our capital's football team was, until recently, a racial slur on par with the n-word.

We need to change our habits. If society is ever to be truly just, equality cannot seem forced or even generous. It has to be so entrenched in society that we just do it. Black band-aids may not save anyone from violence or discrimination, but it does allow everyone the same chance to feel like a human being.

Laws are simply not enough. What we need, alongside those laws, is real, systemic change to attack systemic racism and create a world of peace and justice.