Twitter Users Slam US Politician Ben Carson For Downplaying Existence Of Systemic Racism In America

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American politician, Ben Carson
United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson has come under fire for downplaying the existence of systemic racism in America.

The one-time US Presidential candidate who was being interviewed by Jack Tapper on CNN declared that there is no ‘real’ systemic racism going on in the US.

Secretary Carson said this in comparison to the ‘real’ systemic racism he claimed to have experienced while growing up as a child.

He stated;

I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism. I remember, as an eighth grade student, I was the only black student. I got the highest academic achievement. And the teacher got up and berated the other students they weren’t trying hard enough because a black kid was number one. And that kind of thing was not uncommon when I was growing up. That kind of thing is very uncommon now.

When Tapper asked if racists exist, the retired neurosurgeon stated;

Absolutely. There were yesterday, there are today, and there will be tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t fight it. And this is an opportune time. Right now, people are concentrating on this. We can’t let this moment slip away. We need to deal with some of the issues in the police departments. This is an easy time to do it.

He also pointed out there are some policemen who are rogue but;

The vast majority of policemen are wonderful. But you have some who are rogue. And they can go from one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction, and nobody does anything about it.

They can be wearing body cameras. There are things that can be done, but we need to come to mutual solutions about this. And now is the time to do it. Everybody is concentrating on it. Let’s not let this moment slip away.

Secretary Carson added that;

At the same time, we must be very vigilant about these groups of anarchists who destroy the livelihoods of the very people that they claim to be trying to help.

Many Twitter users have however berated him for downplaying how prevalent racism is in America.

See some reactions below;

Watch Ben Carson’s interview video below;

Secretary Carson’s comment comes in the light of the series of Black Lives Matter protest ongoing in America and other countries that have joined in solidarity.

Read Also: Hollywood Actor John Boyega Breaks Down In Tears While Addressing Black Lives Matter Protesters In UK

It would be recalled that the protest was triggered by the unlawful killing of a 46-year-old unarmed black man, George Floyd by a white former police officer, Derek Chauvin.

Protesters are campaigning against violence and systemic racism towards black people.

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