In another episode of Black People Been Knew, it seemed over the weekend America woke up and realized that indeed America is still racist. When I logged onto Twitter, many people in my feed were posting about racism like a child that recognizes Mommy and Daddy are really Santa Claus. It was as if I could slowly see the scales fall from their eyes as they realized perhaps the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren’t real either.
People were fired up posting about America ripping innocent children away from their parents at the border in the name of “safety” all day on Monday, and I was amazed.
It was as if America woke up over the weekend and realized:
Maybe Colin Kaepernick wasn’t protesting the flag. Perhaps he really was protesting the unfair treatment of Black people by a racist justice system.
Maybe our justice system does treat Black and Brown people differently?
Maybe those Black youths protesting in Ferguson were right.
Maybe all this hyperpatriotism is really covering up racism.
Maybe there is such a thing as police brutality.
Maybe prison really is for profit.
Maybe Black people were right about Jeff Sessions.
Maybe the 53% of White women that voted for Donald Trump did help a racist get into office.
Maybe Donald Trump is racist.
Maybe all those blogs Hannah wrote about White women were right after we just watched Kirstjen Nielsen defend incarcerating innocent children.
Maybe the slogan Make America Great Again was an ode to the days of slavery and Jim Crow.
Maybe we were warned that this day would be coming.
Maybe we should have listened to Black people.
One thing Black people are extremely equipped at is ringing the alarm. The problem with White America is that it pretends it doesn’t hear and even more pretends it does not see. The reason why I know we still have a lot of work to do in America is that everyone wants to compare what is happening with immigration to what happened to Jewish people in Germany. But you do not have to refer to Germany to make a comparison to the atrocities that are happening in our nation.You can compare what is happening now to what happened in America to Black people. You can compare it to what happened in America to Indigenous people. You can compare it to what happened in America to Japanese people. You don’t have to look far to find some of, if not THE worst crimes against humanity because they occurred right in your own backyard. What is happening today is no different.
Image: Slavery By Any Name
Wounded Knee Massacre
You have fantasized an America that is not real and has never been the reality.This is what you signed up for when you wanted to Make America Great Again. What did you think Donald Trump meant by AGAIN? Name me ONE TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THIS NATION, America was ever GREAT for Black people?
THIS IS THE AMERICA THAT YOU GET IN YOUR SILENCE!
I have seen this quote on my feed too many times to count last week by Martin Niemöller:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
But this quote is wrong. First, they came for Black people, and THE WORLD said, “Who gives a damn?”
Rest assured, what you see happening now is a cancer- a cancer that has never been eradicated. America has never dealt with the seeds of its hatred and racism and what you see now is the fruit. If you are foolish enough to believe with your $100,000 job, three-story house and two car garage you are safe, think again. What you see happening in this nation is just practice. The blood is on the leaves and you act as you cannot see it dripping. Your ignorance, cognitive dissonance, and your silence will not save you. Not this time. It is only a matter of time before it is at your doorstep. You have been warned. As you have always been. Now what will you do?
Categories: Current Events, Politics, Race Relations
Nice post!
Hey, does “landmers” mean LAND TO SEA, like Mar-A-Lago means SEA TO LAKE? Why can’t I click on your “handle” & see YOUR blog? Hmmm.
No. Nothing about my name is connected to anything to do with The Orange Menace.
Awesome post! Thank you once again for your insight and pull-no-punches writing. Write on!!!
Thank you, Betsy. You know me, I know no other way to write it. 😊
Is aw this on Tumblr:
If you have ever wondered if you would’ve been a Nazi in Germany, the way you’re behave towards this information right now, should give you that answer.
I’ve already written my Senator and my Rep, who are both Democrats. But even if your people are Democrats lend them your support for want they’re doing. Let them know.
People act as if history in America is not what it is. They just have to imagine what they would have done right here in America. Also, I agree, call your representatives and tell them stay the course and that you support them. I’m sure it is crazy in DC but at least some people are holding the line.
Hannah, awesome piece! Did you know that here in Kansas was mainly populated by Germans? Germany “The Fatherland” LOST in the World Cup to Mexico yesterday, on “father’s day”, did they not? MEXCELLENCE! White supremacy is gasping for it’s final breath. See Revelation 12:12. “The work” was FINISHED. They are spiraling out now.
Thank you, Queen Esther. I had no idea that Kansas was mainly populated by Germans. Learn something new every day. I am glad you liked the blog. It was mind blowing to watch all the awareness yesterday. It’s like everyone took the red pill.
The media has gone full out on this topic, and I feel some type of way about that, as they were the ones who helped let it get this bad, by not questioning what this administration has been doing. The media seemingly has no fucking clue how much power it actually has, and has continued to play it totally safe (one could call it cowardly) as regards Trump and his policies.
I’m not an American nor do I live in the US. Here in Europe, there are similar issues and even though my eyes are open, I must admit that I feel helpless. I voted as progressively and inclusively as I could, but now I don’t know what else can I do to contribute in a positive way.
I have vowed to never look the other way or laugh it off when something says something (casually) racist and I can see my friends roll their eyes at me when I point out their bias.
Do you have any suggestions of what would be a constructive way to contribute to humanity?
Thank you for stopping by to read my blog, Epi B. As long as there is breath in your body and you are able, do not feel helpless. There is always something that you can do. People tend to think in order to make a difference they must do a huge gesture. It doesn’t take a lot to change the world. It takes people that care a lot. You have already started on that path -vowing to never look the other way, not letting racist jokes slide, etc. Fighting racism is like a consistent drop of water hitting a stone in the same spot over and over again. Over time eventually it will break however to the naked eye we see a drop of water against a stone and it seems impossible. But it isn’t. Racism is a man made construct and anything man made theoretically can be torn down. So you do something every day like that drop of water. And it doesn’t have to be huge. Get out and know your neighbors that don’t look like you, attend a meeting, organize a community walk so people can get to know each other, cook a meal for someone that is constantly protesting, stand up when you see something wrong, share information online that can help foster understanding and growth, talk to people in your circle of influence. I wrote a blog called How Many More Documentaries Will It Take, White America? My Thoughts and Reflections on I Am Not Your Negro, you can search it above. There are many thoughts there. Also a blog called White Women Get Your Friends, some great suggestions are in there. You got this! It takes all of us doing something to make a change. What isn’t an option is to do nothing. ❤️✊🏿
Epi B: Take Hannah’s advice & when all else fails, do what AMERIKKKA does: “thoughts & prayers”. BUT instead of praying to their “god”, which is MONEY [mammon], PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD. THOSE PRAYERS actually work, but then you’ve seen my blog, correct? Why can’t I click your “handle” & see YOUR blog? Are you NOT writing about these atrocities? Then you wouldn’t feel so helpless while commenting TOWARD US. Just sayin’. That’s what Hannah & I are doing, as evidenced by the fact that we meet HERE again.
well said
The Queen speaks and SHE SAID WHAT SHE SAID! Thank you Hannah!