Nicole Cardoza Nicole Cardoza Nicole Cardoza Nicole Cardoza

Confront white supremacy.

Yesterday a group of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote. Earlier in the day, President Trump spoke at the rally, citing that "we will never concede" after losing the election to President-elect Biden (NYTimes). From there, protestors overtook the Capitol, breaking windows and scaling walls before taking artifacts and rioting inside (more via The Atlantic). Although few media outlets go so far as to use the words, this can be considered an attempted coup, an unconstitutional seize of political power (The Atlantic).

Happy Thursday, and welcome back to the Anti-Racism Daily. Yesterday was a lot, and I'm still processing. But I tried to unpack some of the misconceptions of the events, and cited newsletters where we've touched on these issues in the past. I hope it helps to illuminate the real issue here. This isn't just about Trump or inadequate law enforcement, but a persistent defense of white supremacy. It makes me tired but hopeful. A new future is emerging, regardless of who likes it or not. And we can't stop fighting for it.

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We also recently created a virtual digital community where you can engage in movement work with members near you. It may offer some space for processing what's unfolding.

Nicole

TAKE ACTION

  • If you identify as white, call a white friend today and discuss your complicity in a system of white supremacy. How do you benefit? What more can you do to dismantle it?

  • If you identify as BIPOC, carve out some time to rest this week.

  • Donate to DC organizers on the ground, including The Palm Collective, Medics4Justice, and FrontLine Women DC.

  • Review the resources for creating an election safety plan with your community.

  • Use the correct terminology when referring to these events. These were armed terrorists [not protestors] staging an attempted coup [not demonstration].

GET EDUCATED

By Nicole Cardoza (she/her)

Yesterday a group of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote. Earlier in the day, President Trump spoke at the rally, citing that "we will never concede" after losing the election to President-elect Biden (NYTimes). From there, protestors overtook the Capitol, breaking windows and scaling walls before taking artifacts and rioting inside (more via The Atlantic). Although few media outlets go so far as to use the words, this can be considered an attempted coup, an unconstitutional seize of political power (The Atlantic).

Instead of condemning the act, President Trump turned to social media to double-down on baseless allegations that the election was rigged and emphasized that these terrorists are "patriots" and are "very special." This response is unsurprising considering his consistent coddling of white supremacists throughout his presidency. This video was removed from social media, and Twitter temporarily blocked him from the account (NPR). After a curfew was set and police cleared the building and secured its perimeter, Senate returned to resume their work.

Many were quick to express the juxtaposition of treatment of these terrorists compared to protestors of color. In videos and testimonies from the day's events, it's evident that law enforcement acted insufficiently to defend the Capitol, with one video even implying that they let some in (Politico has details). In contrast, demonstrations by people of color, even the peaceful ones, are met with violence by law enforcement (ProPublica). For example, in the evening of peaceful protests for George Floyd in DC last June, the Army National Guard sent two helicopters to fly dangerously low over protestors, creating winds equivalent to a tropical storm (The Washington Post). Hours before, federal police in riot gear fired gas canisters and used grenades containing rubber pellets to disperse peaceful protestors so that Trump could host a photo-op (The Washington Post).

The disproportionate response of law enforcement against white and non-white communities has been steadily documented. More recently, the FBI has repeatedly warned of the potential consequences of white supremacist groups infiltrating local and state law enforcement, indicating it was a significant threat to national security (PBS). But how can we be surprised when the roots of our nation's law enforcement – and in DC – stem from slavery (White House History)?

Furthermore, this behavior is supported by how our country historically has labeled terrorism in the U.S. Because these were not protestors. They were terrorists: individuals using unlawful force to intimidate or coerce a government. As we've discussed previously, white terrorists are rarely named as such. Terrorism is colloquially used to insinuate an act of foreign terrorism inflicted by non-white communities, threatening both the safety of the U.S. and the whiteness it centers. It's why stereotypes of terrorists tend to be of the SWANA (Southwest Asian/North Africa) community, as Ida highlighted in a previous newsletter. In contrast, white male terrorism happens most frequently in the U.S. and is rarely considered with the same gravitas (Teen Vogue).

Some people have called this an example of white privilege. But I'd go further to state that this was a demonstration of white power, the act of intentionally wielding white privilege and whiteness to maintain dominance above all else. The Democratic wins in both the presidential election and the Georgia run-off are largely attributed to communities of color (PBS). So this was an intentional and violent response, an action that tried to demonstrate what will happen when white power is challenged. And it wouldn't have been possible without the support of the President, and other political leaders and law enforcement cheering it on from the sidelines.

And, more broadly, it wouldn't be possible if we didn't live in a world of white supremacy. There is no other group of people in the U.S. that would have the opportunity to carry out such a blatant form of disrespect against its own government in full support of its President and in full view of its people. Terrorists were posting on social media from inside the U.S. Capitol. They were interviewed by media outside. And afterward, many returned to their hotels to chat about the day's event. Having white privilege means inheriting advantages in a system. But having white power means that you can use and abuse these systems without consequences because they were designed to protect you and your conservative values and beliefs. That's not just reinforced by the same values being shared by politicians and lawmakers, media and culture. It's also reinforced by how non-white people and more liberal views are oppressed in the same spaces. The violence by law enforcement at a Black Lives Matter rally, for example, insinuates that "if you rally for a cause that aligns with white supremacy, there'd be no issue".

Update: You'll also watch white power be celebrated, like in this NYTimes article featuring the person that occupied Speaker Pelosi's office and stole some of her mail.

So although President-elect Biden and other leaders are adamant that "this is not who America is," I disagree. This is exactly who America is. America was built on white supremacy. It consistently protects white terrorism, enables a racist criminal justice system, and elects Presidents who speak to these ideals. What's more accurate is "this is not the America we're fighting for". Because that one is emerging. And the more we create new systems and practices center these values and ideals, the more the "America we have" will fight to return to its roots – even if it kills itself in the process. Because the same people that sieged the Capitol yesterday admonish Black Lives Matter protestors for violence, rioting, and destroying our democracy. But the only person they have to worry about is themselves.

The most important thing to remember is that this didn't happen four years ago. And it won't end in two weeks. We're going to keep facing the violence of white supremacy until it's gone. And we've got a lot more work to do. We're unlikely to see it end in our lifetime. So as you move forward, remember that we have to keep doing the work. Admonish the terrorists – and also address the racist sentiment in your workplace. Continue to unpack your own biases and privileges. It's clear our future depends on it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Yesterday's event was an intentional demonstration of white power in response to the changing political and socioeconomic landscape

  • There's a wide disparity in how law enforcement responds to unrest

  • Our nation will continue to experience tension as a new, more radical future emerges

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