In an 18-minute soliloquy dated May 29, 2020, Trevor Noah eloquently, cogently, walks the viewer through the American social contract; its breach as to Black Americans; the blindness, in one degree or another, of most of us to that breach; and a path to compassion and a new, just social contract. I highly recommend viewing that talk.
Each person must think for herself or himself, of course, and we must be true to ourselves. But if we do not take constructive ACTION as "a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens" [Margaret Mead], and ultimately in large numbers, to IMPROVE our society - society being ultimately our relations with each other, from neighborhood to nation - our children will be entitled not only to reject us as examples of responsible citizens. They will be entitled to indict us for our neglect - of them and of our responsibility to ensure our local, national, and global social contracts are equitable - and for adding to their generation's burden of seeking justice and economic, social, political stability.
As for racism in particular, I think the most important thing I can do is to commit, to be alert and willing, to grow - including with others' help - as an informed and effective ally of its victims. This commitment, for me, includes being uncomfortable for the rest of my life about my own implicit racism and doing my best to reduce it; being alert to others' racism (particularly that of public officers and leaders) and, with due respect, even love, acknowledging it and opening and discussions about it; and supporting, as best I can see to do, the changes to our social contract for which Mr. Noah calls.
