Today is Flag Day. As reported by Fox News' Bradford Betz, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser added a 51st star to U.S. flags displayed on Pennsylvania Avenue.
I've reviewed institutional American racism many times before in numerous contexts. Rather than bore you with a list of previous entries emphasizing American racism themes, I'll just mention that I predict that House votes and Senate representation for D.C. won't happen in my lifetime. Why? The District of Columbia has an almost 50% black population. The District of Columbia also has more than 700,000 residents, putting it ahead of Wyoming and Vermont. With a 50% black population, however, D.C. remains in statehood purgatory.
Can you imagine if D.C. were, say, 95% white, like New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, or West Virginia? Do you think those white folks would sit chilly without Senate representation or Electoral College clout?
Welcome to Flag Day. All 50 stars on the flag are white. It's not going to change anytime soon.
Bob Dietz
June 14, 2022
