the evolution of a charge: from white privilege to white supremacist

[Generic Other]

87. Her message was a pointed barb at all of us

We can't rest on the laurels of past milestones (ending slavery, passing the Civil Rights Act, electing an AA president, appointing a black attorney general). The work is not done.

I am trying to view this from her perspective. Not much seems to change the underlying conditions of many African Americans in this country. Certainly not the weak attempts of liberals to effect change. POC clearly still live in an unacceptably racist society. And everywhere they look they see evidence of the end results: trigger-happy cops, a broken justice system, institutional racism and a heck of a lot of white people defending it all. And nothing much is ever done to change it.

This inaction results in a long pent-up history of frustration and simmering rage that incites anger afresh at every new atrocity. The anger spilled over and burned some liberals. I would much preferred it had been spewed on the rightwing obstructionist, but I am going to see it as a call to action. A gauntlet thrown at us all to address this very critical issue with renewed vigor.

I think you are right. This young woman has seized the talking stick and won't let go even when she can barely articulate the message. It's hard to discuss shades of gray when you have such a black and white argument.