This post has been a long time coming. I’ve written and deleted it numerous times and even have a few different versions in draft in OneNote. Charlottesville was beyond sickening, and I’m praying for all of those who were hurt by the sick Nazi’s and alt-right people who are on the wrong side of history.
But most of all I’m tired.
I’m tired of the hashtags for the innocents who were slain. The brutality and unnecessary killings need to stop.
I’m tired of hearing people say “not all (fill in the blanks) are racist/transphobic/etc”. We know this, but this current administration has given the ones who are enough encouragement to come out of hiding.
I’m tired of the “black on black crime” myth being thrown around. Stop. Just stop. It’s a deflection. We all know that crime statistics are higher within all communities, but no one ever mentions “white on white crime” or “Hispanic on Hispanic crime”.
I’m tired of having to say “I told you so” to so many people. I saw a tweet earlier from the Women’s March that was a photo of the Nazis in Charlottesville and it said that the “face of domestic terror has always looked like this. Now, more than ever, we must follow the lead of the women of color.” Where was this when we needed it after Trayvon was killed? Where was it during the Civil Rights movement? Where was it a few weeks ago when people were up in arms about a P&G commercial? It wasn’t until the terror hit close to home that people decided to listen.
I’m tired of the systematic oppression of all of those who don’t look like those alt-right and Nazis who were rioting in Charlottesville. And I’m tired of people not acknowledging that the oppression exists. That’s just as bad as saying that you don’t “see color”. That’s one of those bull “feel good” statements that do more harm than good. I get what you’re trying to say, but blatantly ignoring our differences is very inconsiderate and dismissive.
Now it’s your turn.
It’s your turn to pick a side. You can be on the right side of history and fight the same enemy our WWII vets fought so long ago, or you can fight alongside of those sick Nazis.
It’s your turn to speak up. Silence is compliance and agreement in situations like this. I get that you want to be comfortable and you don’t want to ruffle any feathers, but now is not the time for that. This isn’t the situation for that.
It’s your turn to call out those racist loved ones. Whether it’s a great aunt at the dinner table or a fraternity brother in a chapter meeting, stop letting their remarks masked as “jokes” slide.
It’s your turn to truly be an ally. Too many people love throwing that word around, but are only allies when it’s convenient for them. It’s time to get your hands dirty and get down in the trenches with the disenfranchised you’re allying with.