White America, Fear, and Insurrection

“White Americans are not afraid of the cops. White Americans are never afraid of the cops. Even when they are committing insurrection.”
Joy Reid

In An American Insurrection: James Meredith and the Battle of Oxford, Mississippi, author William Doyle writes about the riot when a “Negro,” a veteran who had defended his country, tried to exercise his right to an education. The book was a microcosm of a White mob—incited by politicians who were interested in maintaining power—rioting, destroying property, and killing people because they were scared about a change in their lives when a fellow American sought something they took for granted—the simple ability to go to school.

As I watched the images coming across my television and my monitor today, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels: a fearful White mob—incited by a politician interested in maintaining power— rioting, destroying property, and causing at least one death because they were scared about a change in their lives when their fellow Americans sought something we once took for granted—a peaceful transition of power.

Except this wasn’t Oxford, Mississippi, this was the U.S. Capitol.

A building that had stood without an occupying force inside of it SINCE THE WAR OF 1812

The Confederate Army couldn’t breach it,

The Bonus Army was repelled by troops directed by Douglas MacArthur,  

Protestors against the Vietnam War couldn’t get close,

And let us not forget what waited for protestors this summer.

But a White mob—A WHITE MOB—were met by officers wanting to get selfies with the miscreants as they poured into the Capitol.

I’m going to get blunt—the quote that I started with is correct.

I’ve been a Black man on this planet for almost three score years—and I’ve been lectured to by too many White people that part of the problem with “my community” is that we can’t control “the criminal element” and that not doing so is a “reflection on my community as a whole.”

These same White people will look also me in my eye and say “It’s not fair that you judge White people by the individual actions of a few.”  

WHY THE BLOODY HELL NOT?!?

If you can judge me by the individual actions of a few (“What about Chicago?”) I think it only fair that I judge you by the individual actions of people who:

Blow up federal buildings,

Kill people in the middle of Bible study,

And break windows and occupy this nation’s seat of power because you’re upset your candidate lost.

What is the primary characteristic of all three of the above incidents?

SCARED WHITE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE THEIR FELLOW WHITE PEOPLE AREN’T SCARED OF THEM AND ARE WILLING TO EXPLAIN, EXCUSE AND RATIONALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE NO MATTER HOW HEINOUS THE ACT.     

I’m tired.

Tired of seeing folks being willing to pledge their lives to men and women who look like them as long as that person is willing to keep those “dangerous” people in their place.

Tired of seeing White people excusing their actions because “We’ve been picked on, laughed at and ignored for too long.” WELCOME TO THE WORLD THAT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME HAVE TAKEN FOR GRANTED SINCE OH… FOREVER.

Tired of seeing certain groups of rioting, property destroying White people met with selfies by law enforcement and EVERY OTHER GROUP being met with rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas and truncheons.

Tired of knowing that before the end of this day, there will be crackpot theories about these people being “actors” trying to make “MAGAs look bad…” AND THAT PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE IT AND PASS THIS ASININE DRIVEL ON.

Tired of the most scrutinized election in American history being considered a fraud because your candidate lost—and for the first time IN HIS LIFE, that failed candidate can’t bully, bribe, beg or litigate his way out of it.

White folks have always been a little glib about how “we” should act.

It’s time for you all to start looking in the mirror….

Until Next Time…