Why Did Ahmaud Arbery’s Murder Stay Hidden? The Impact of Systemic Racism in Georgia

The murder of Ahmaud Arbery

I think everybody knows the answer but they’re afraid to say it. The sincerest form of hypocrisy is silence when action and-verbal condemnation are both due. This brings us to the question that has been banded about the internet and social media: Why haven’t we heard of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery sooner since it happened in February 2020? The answer lies in the unspoken and often unacknowledged systemic racism that permeates certain jurisdictions, particularly in the Confederate state of Georgia.

Background and Initial Supervision

The incident at the center of this question occurred in February 2020. Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black jogger, was murdered by homeowners Greg and Travis McMichael. Their actions were not only illegal but also rooted in deep-seated racial biases. However, the case was not widely publicized or promptly addressed, which raises significant questions about the state’s reaction and the broader issue of systemic racism.

According to the Shooting of Ahmaud Arbery - Wikipedia, District Attorney Brian Arrnhill claimed that the McMichaels were within their rights to chase ‘a burglary suspect.’ This statement alone underscores the guardsmen’s and law enforcement’s understanding of racial profiling and the normalization of suspecting black individuals of criminal behavior.

Suppression of the Truth and State Interference

Until a video of the incident was leaked to a local radio station on May 5th, the state of Georgia showed little to no interest in bringing the McMichaels to justice. This is particularly noteworthy given the extensive media and social media coverage of high-profile cases involving African Americans in recent years, such as the murders of Trayvon Martin and Breonna Taylor. The suppression of the truth in this case can be attributed to the state’s desire to maintain its image and avoid drawing unwanted attention to its complicity in racial injustice.

The Georgia state government, often described as behaving as if it’s still in the Confederacy, has a long history of systemic racism. This case is a stark reminder of the continued existence of deep-seated racial biases, with law enforcement failing to take decisive action against the perpetrators. The McMichaels, two armed citizens, felt emboldened to chase and eventually murder Arbery because the state did not reasonably expect such actions to be punished.

Failed Policing and Legal Framework

Outside of the confines of the Confederate ideology, ordinary citizens cannot decide on their own that an innocent jogger is a ‘burglary suspect’ because he or she is black. It is not their prerogative to chase and murder someone without legal justification. However, in the state of Georgia, this type of behavior is tragically normal, sanctioned by a society and legal system that has historically favored white individuals and disproportionately punished those of color.

A district attorney should not be presenting biased narratives to justify the actions of individuals who clearly violated the law. Brian Arrnhill’s statement that the McMichaels were within their rights to chase and ultimately murder Arbery is nothing short of offensive and indicative of systemic racism. It reinforces the idea that hunting down and killing an unarmed black man is not grounds for arrest or accountability.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Why did Ahmaud Arbery’s murder stay hidden for so long? The answer lies in the pervasive and insidious nature of systemic racism. The Georgia Confederacy (as some may refer to it) failed to investigate the crime properly, instead covering it up to protect its own image and system. Ultimately, this case is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against racial injustice, and it is our collective responsibility to speak out and demand change.

The fight against systemic racism is not just about changing laws; it is about changing hearts and minds. Until we acknowledge and address the racism that exists within our communities, incidents like the murder of Ahmaud Arbery will continue to occur, and the voices of the marginalized will be further silenced.

Keywords: systemic racism, Ahmaud Arbery, Georgia, police brutality, civil rights