Laws matter. Yes, Americans may sometimes exceed posted speed limits, but that doesn’t mean we’re “systemically” a nation of reckless drivers.

By the same token, the fact that racism and discrimination remain a stubborn factor in American life, doesn’t mean that such hateful behavior represents the norm—or qualifies as systemic. Discrimination in employment, housing, education and criminal justice has been unequivocally illegal for more than a half century.

The people, working through our elected representatives, consistently choose to prohibit and punish racism, not to permit or promote it. The American system of justice isn’t built around oppression and bigotry. It promises “equal protection of the laws”—guaranteed by the 14th Amendment as a Constitutional right, regardless of race.

The fabulously successful play and now film “Hamilton” is now under a lot of criticism. On race, Alexander Hamilton was ahead of his time—but not 200 years ahead of his time, so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that the film about him is now in the crosshairs of cancel culture.

I can see another reason why violent extremists might be opposed to the play. In a rap battle in which Thomas Jefferson pressures George Washington to support the French Revolution, Washington rejects the idea of street violence:

“The people are leading!”

“The people are rioting! There’s a difference! Frankly it’s a little disquieting you would let your ideals blind you to reality!”

In the play and in reality, Hamilton and Washington were both skeptical about violence in the streets. Maybe all those who are either celebrating or sympathetic to the violence today should worried about the movie’s popularity as well.

To mainstream media, the designation “Black conservative” represents a contradiction in terms. Conventional wisdom insists African Americans must automatically identify as progressive, or even radical, to be true to their racial identity, But a bold new film explodes that patronizing assumption with passion, wit and a series of admirable examples.

“Uncle Tom” features Black leaders like Allen West, Herman Cain, Robert Woodson, Candace Owens and my talk radio colleague Larry Elder—who’s also one of the film’s producers.

Without narration or an overarching storyline, the film provides insightful, sometimes intimate observations in vivid black and white, so the contemporary comments blend seamlessly with stunning historical footage.

Along with eloquent vintage photographs, these clips bring to life great figures from Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington to Dr. King himself. “Uncle Tom” is perfectly timed, making a much-needed contribution to the quest for justice and understanding at a moment of accusatory hysteria in race relations.

Hugh Hewitt dives into President Trump’s July 4th speech at Mount Rushmore, which some in the media called “dark and divisive.”

Amidst all the protest and violent unrest, radical activists are flinging the accusation of ‘systemic racism’ against America.

Well, we do have an educational monopoly system which keeps poor children trapped in failing schools.

Our government built a welfare system which conditions support on mothers not marrying the fathers of their children.

Our media and broadcast systems glorify sex outside of marriage and target poor black communities with ‘reproductive health care’ that monetizes a lethal false solution to an unplanned pregnancy.

Our tax system imposes very high rates in major metropolitan areas which drive the middle class out of cities but traps those too poor to move.

So it does seem like there are real problems in our system—the results of decades of bad policy clearly fall more heavily on one race.

Maybe there is something to this systemic racism idea after all—just not what we’ve been told.

The video of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis, held down by a police officer in an arrest with his knee on the back of his neck resulted—as we now know—in his tragic death.

Commenting on the video, Art Acevedo, who is the head of the Major Cities Chiefs Association said, “I haven’t heard anybody justify this.”

The sad reality is that George Floyd is now dead.

When you look at the protests and rioting in Minneapolis, it is an ugly picture everywhere you look—and now not just in Minneapolis.

But where does this story lead?

It all comes down to the importance of the rule of law. If the rule of law breaks down, there is no rescue.

Injustice documented before our eyes cries out for justice, but justice calls out for the rule of law—in the courtroom and on the streets of America’s cities.

Townhall Review – April 25, 2020

Hugh Hewitt talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the deception China funneled to much of the planet via the World Health Organization.

Sebastian Gorka and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani talk about America’s resilience during crisis.

Hugh Hewitt talks with National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien about the Chinese government’s lack of transparency and how that affects combating COVID-19 and other viruses that originated in China.

Kevin McCullough and Gordon Chang talk about the dangers of China and their impact on the world around them.

Hugh Hewitt talks with U.S. Attorney General William Barr about the challenges facing and actions taken by President Trump in combating the Coronavirus.

Dennis Prager talks with Dr. Vladimir Zelenko about his methods of treating patients infected with COVID-19.

Hugh Hewitt and David Cortman, senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, talk about defending the rights of churches as restrictions are being placed on gatherings to combat COVID-19.