June 4th 2024.
Famed actor Wendell Pierce recently shared his personal experience with racism in light of a recent court ruling against the Fearless Fund, an organization that provides grants to Black women-owned businesses. Pierce, known for his role in "The Wire," took to Twitter to vent his frustrations and call out the discriminatory nature of the ruling.
The ruling, made by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has received widespread backlash, with many attributing it to conservative-led attacks against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Pierce was among the critics, sending out a series of tweets expressing his disappointment and anger at the decision and its implications for Black Americans.
Pierce highlighted the irony of a private investment firm, the Fearless Fund, being blocked from investing in Black-owned businesses due to a Reconstruction-era civil rights law that was meant to protect former slaves from discrimination. He also called out the individuals responsible for the challenge to the grant program, including Edward Blum, a known opponent of affirmative action.
In addition to addressing the court ruling, Pierce also revealed a personal encounter with racism he had with a white landlord. Despite his success and fame as a working actor, Pierce's rental application for an apartment in Harlem was denied.
"For those of you who don't understand my righteous anger," he tweeted, "I'm on 2 TV series, filming a movie, and have a successful career in both television and Broadway. Yet, even with proof of my employment and assets, a white landlord denied my application to rent an apartment in Harlem."
Pierce went on to condemn the racism and bigotry that continue to plague the United States, citing the country's history of slavery as the root cause of these ongoing issues. He called out those who deny the existence of racism, stating that they are "vile and despicable."
Pierce's frustrations are shared by many, as Monday's ruling marks another victory for conservative groups who have been targeting diversity programs across the country. People have taken to social media to express their outrage and call for change, highlighting the injustices and inequalities that continue to affect Black Americans.
In response to one person who questioned the need for exclusive tools to address racism, another user wrote, "In other words, we can't use exclusive tools for Black people to address exclusive racism and discrimination against Black people unless those tools are also available to those causing harm to our communities through book bans, erasure of history, voter suppression, and limiting freedoms."
The ruling against the Fearless Fund has been deemed an "absolute abomination" and an assault on the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for Black people. Pierce's tweets and personal experience serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight against racism and discrimination in all forms.
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