Irv Randolph: The imperative of Black resilience and hope

by Irv Randolph The beginning of a New Year should bring renewed joy and hope But for many Americans it will be a time of distress and despair. “Americans feel generally pessimistic about the future of the United States when it comes to several aspects of society,” according to a Pew Research Center survey released in September. The poll showed that “63 percent of Americans are pessimistic about the country’s moral and ethical standards, and 59 percent are pessimistic about its education system.” More Americans feel pessimistic than optimistic about: The United States’ ability to ensure racial equality for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity (44 percent are pessimistic, compared with 28 percent who are optimistic). The country’s ability to get along with other countries (41 percent vs. 30 percent). The institution of marriage and the family in the country (40 percent vs. 25 percent). About half of Black (51 percent) and Asian (49 percent) adults say they feel pessimistic about racial equality, while less than half of Hispanic (44 percent) and White (43 percent) adults say the same. Americans are also anxious about rapid changes in technology, including concerns about whether their jobs will be replaced by artificial...