When one speaks out against racism here as I’ve done on the topic of the Proud Boys, I’ve been prevented from replying. The people posting about me were saying, I’m a Marxist, I’ve a problem with being black, and many other accusations that are false. They get to say all of that and I’m not allowed to respond.
I’ve stated who I am, where I’m from, and what I stand for. I’ll repeat myself here. I’m an apartheid survivor from South Africa, and I stand for equality. My life experience has been horrible, but I’ve managed to keep my background not affect what I can achieve in life by working hard and contributing to society wherever I can. For instance, I’ve donated money via yearly concerts in which all revenues go to domestic shelters for victims of domestic violence. I’ve managed to earn 3-degrees (bachelors, masters, and doctorate).
My experience with apartheid is this: firstly, from the age of 12 until 17, I was tortured and my back has been negatively affected. I’ve had 3-back surgeries in the US to try to correct the problem. Secondly, my entire family was murdered; I’m the only male member of my family alive today. When I’ve mentioned my story, I’ve been accused by those whom I believe to be racist, of wanting sympathy! I state the facts so the entire picture is on full display. Thirdly, I’m a US citizen and somehow, according to those allowed to post whatever, I’m to beg and be extremely thankful and fall in line with the right as if I’m not human and I’ve no history! My roots of culture are not void because I’m in the US. I’m proud of where I come from, I’m proud of my people, and I was not born to beg, be abused, and accept injustices that I’ve witnessed and experienced. It seems the moderator caters to those that express the views of the right only; and since I’m not the right, nor the left, I’m quickly undermined.
I’m a big 2A advocate and exercise all of my rights as prescribed in the constitution. I’ve a lot of history, too much to mention here! The reason I’m here is to get legal help should I ever need it, hopefully never!
The problem I have is that other people are allowed to say whatever they want but not me. I’m not the left nor the right. And because I stand against racism, I’m accused of being a dem or a Marxist by someone who knows nothing about me. Why did the moderator sensor my speech but not those who are saying horrible things about me? If this organization treats everyone the same, then it’s not happening with me. And I want the people in charge to be aware of the unequal treatment that has happened to me on this community website!
Also when mentioning what I’ve experienced here in the US with law enforcement it seems that the experience is invalid. When people focus on riots and looting it’s just their way to avoid the bigger picture! The riots and looting are wrong, I concur, but they’re not the problem. The problem is LE routinely treats minorities differently and the even bigger picture is that society has managed to undermine Americans of African descent since this country came into existence.
From slavery, to Jim Crow, to today, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed so there can be a more perfect union. Healthcare, employment, housing, equal opportunities for a healthier community does not exist in the African American community. People have posted that we’ve had Obama, there are blacks in Congress so on and so forth. So it seems if one speaks out against racism I’m the left. As I’ve stated before, I’m neither and all they want to do is put me in a box and then they can feel free to attack because the strategy is left vs right, black vs white, etc. I choose not to play that game.
I’m free to choose my destiny, which is equality and speak the truth whether it hurts the left or right, I don’t care! My experience has shaped who I am and what I stand for, I shouldn’t be discriminated against because of that, or because I wasn’t born here, or because I don’t say that I’m republican.
What I want to know is why are people who say whatever and are republicans are allowed to speak freely while I, as an African, educated here, should not be allowed to reply! It seems there’s a double standard and again like many institutions sometimes it takes for something big to happen and then those in charge will respond. This happened to the NFL and many other organizations when we witnessed the George Floyd murder.
The admission that there’s a different reality for others could not be denied as it had been for many decades by white Americans who live and believe in a different reality; not all, but some! These truths are uncomfortable and paint a picture which makes some feel guilty, some angry, some happy to accept responsibility, some ready to help make equality a reality for all. The constitution should be the key in all of this. There are many issues that need to be addressed: the role judicial has played, the role LE has played and continue to play, the role society plays… everyone should be held accountable for their actions!
The question remains: why am I being discriminated against here when I state facts and the truth? Why are those who call themselves the right allowed to say whatever they want?
Sincerely,
Dr. C. Sipho Mabingani