The Capitol Hill Attack: Fears, Context, and a Sprinkling of Hope
When the domestic terrorist attack occurred on the capital, which has now been coined White Privilege Wednesday in many spaces, all I could do was look in horror as the capital building was engulfed in white privilege that dripped so apparently through the bold acts of defiance and active claiming of public spaces as if in their own backyard. The symbolism of confederate flags, nooses and other hate memorabilia took me to a space that felt unclear. I began to feel a mix of emotions that included curiosity, confusion and then trickles of fear began to creep up my spine……... In the coming days I would have a difficult time trying to pinpoint why fear was so present. Yet, as I processed more with friends and colleagues and also engaged in anti-racism work, the why behind the feeling became more clear….
Historically, the United States has been a violent country, particularly towards communities of color. More specifically and personally towards the black community. Images and narratives of the massacre that occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma flood my mind and my stomach becomes uneasy. The often untold story of the Rosewood Massacre, a black community terrorized and burnt to the ground by white terrorists with no convictions of these perpetrators; ringing like an audible bell in my ear….. 400 years of pure survival instinct begins to pulsate in my veins and positions my feet for movement as I stare in horror at the insurrection at the capital. There are too many instances where white collectives have attacked communities of color with no fear of consequences due to the way whiteness has been constructed within the U.S. No accountability to the loss of opportunities, loss of generational sustainability and most importantly the robbed dreams, hopes and lives of individuals and families…… Communities of color have been occupied by domestic terrorists for the last 400 years. Lost loved ones that never returned, whose names can now be found at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice; names finally acknowledged and claimed through marble printings. Bombs placed under beds, churches and any other space that occupied black bodies….. It seemed clear that when white privilege and the social construction of race that upholds the racial hierarchy is somehow threatened, there is backlash by those who knowingly/unknowingly support the racial contract. All of the aforementioned attacks have been in response to economic growth of communities of color, advocacy for equity, civil rights and any other thought/behavior that dared to challenge the social/economic confinements of race.
White supremacy ideology is so rooted in the oppression of others, that the liberation of any…. feels like a threat. What we saw on White Privilege Wednesday was a response to white supremacy feeling threatened…… Pressure is being created for the liberation of all including those tied to false ideologies who may have difficulty acknowledging how all of our humanity is tied to how we advocate and treat others. The pressure from communities of color for our nation to live up to its ideals, pressure to begin dismantling systemic racism and all forms of oppression. Okay, there’s a hope…. Ancestors I am listening….
So if you didn't hear, the inauguration happened! I woke up that morning with a lightness in my spirit and clarity in thoughts. This nation will have its first Madam Vice President, and she is a woman of color! Madam Vice President and the President are explicitly discussing racial equity and dismantling systemic racism too……What did I wake up too?... This feels like a dream. Oftentimes I reflect on how hard anti-racism/oppressive work can be and how important it is to celebrate the wins. This was a win… the nation spoke and we upheld our ideology in this moment. Today we dance….
Tomorrow we prepare. Prepare for any backlash progress for all citizens may evoke in some. Prepare for the difficult conversations that will start or continue with friends, families and colleagues around systemic racism. Prepare to hold this administration accountable to operationalizing racial equity and accountability to all historically marginalized communities. As we know racism is alive and well and as elusive as the air we breathe. We must be vigilant with any administration. Prepare to be stretched and uncomfortable as our nation grows closer to upholding the vision of equality for all and the land of opportunity for all.
My niece recently asked to interview me about my perception of the American Dream. One of the questions was how my perception of the American dream has changed from when I was 16 years old. I told her this “At 16 I thought the American dream was real and accessible to all. Now I know that’s not true.” We are not responsible for the systemic racism and bias that exists within our institutions, government and systems…...we inherited it this way. However, we are and will be responsible if we pass down a system to the next generation in this same state.
*If you are unfamiliar with any of the events or terms used above in this blog, we encourage you to look them up and educate yourself further around the history of racism, white supremacy, and similar ideologies. For help getting started, racialequitytool.org has some excellent resources, including a glossary of racial equity terms and concepts.
