Socialized white person here. In my opinion this viewpoint is problematic and not your call to make. The reasons you give for Black people needing to be among the front ranks are actually reasons why white people need to organize and be on the frontlines. I urge you to consider taking this post down and re-examine your beliefs about Black people needing to be among the front ranks.
- “[trump] is definitely aiming to take this country back to a situation where overt white supremacy is blatantly promoted, codified in law and court decisions, and enforced through systematic, full-blown white supremacist violence.” White people are in the best position to challenge white supremacy because we’re less likely to be collectively punished and our bodies are considered less disposable from the point of view of MAGA, police and other systems of oppression. This approach may also help Black people not bear the brunt of police brutality which often happens to folks who are on the front lines of resistance.
- “through the heroic, self-sacrificing struggle of Black people against open segregation and discrimination…This has been a righteous struggle that has changed the way a lot of people see things, including a lot of white youth especially, motivating them to join in the struggle against this racist oppression.” As you rightfully pointed out, Black people have been self-sacrificing for generations. They have more than earned their time for rest. Your framing above puts the onus on Black people to activate white people to join the struggle when it’s been more than time for white people to activate ourselves and each other in the liberation struggles. We have books, the internet, each other, we don’t need to ask Black people to do more unpaid labor for white people’s benefit. They shouldn’t need to activate us through self-sacrifice. We have a shared interest in combating oppression in all its forms, and white people can and should step up now!
I agree this effort will take ALL of us. But white folks need to lead the effort and be out front for once. They know how to oppress. Now they need to fight rather then sit back waiting to reap the benefits of others pain and suffering. Black people are tired of being on the front lines- always the first to be blamed, arrested and killed even tho the fight has been taken up by the masses. Not saying black people should sit this one out. Saying it’s time for (THESE white folks vs MAGA white folks) to lead the charge with backing and support from the other communities. Time for white folks to fight the leaders of this country who ARE white folks. JMO
Socialized white person here. In my opinion this viewpoint is problematic and not your call to make. The reasons you give for Black people needing to be among the front ranks are actually reasons why white people need to organize and be on the frontlines. I urge you to consider taking this post down and re-examine your beliefs about Black people needing to be among the front ranks.
- “[trump] is definitely aiming to take this country back to a situation where overt white supremacy is blatantly promoted, codified in law and court decisions, and enforced through systematic, full-blown white supremacist violence.” White people are in the best position to challenge white supremacy because we’re less likely to be collectively punished and our bodies are considered less disposable from the point of view of MAGA, police and other systems of oppression. This approach may also help Black people not bear the brunt of police brutality which often happens to folks who are on the front lines of resistance.
- “through the heroic, self-sacrificing struggle of Black people against open segregation and discrimination…This has been a righteous struggle that has changed the way a lot of people see things, including a lot of white youth especially, motivating them to join in the struggle against this racist oppression.” As you rightfully pointed out, Black people have been self-sacrificing for generations. They have more than earned their time for rest. Your framing above puts the onus on Black people to activate white people to join the struggle when it’s been more than time for white people to activate ourselves and each other in the liberation struggles. We have books, the internet, each other, we don’t need to ask Black people to do more unpaid labor for white people’s benefit. They shouldn’t need to activate us through self-sacrifice. We have a shared interest in combating oppression in all its forms, and white people can and should step up now!
I agree this effort will take ALL of us. But white folks need to lead the effort and be out front for once. They know how to oppress. Now they need to fight rather then sit back waiting to reap the benefits of others pain and suffering. Black people are tired of being on the front lines- always the first to be blamed, arrested and killed even tho the fight has been taken up by the masses. Not saying black people should sit this one out. Saying it’s time for (THESE white folks vs MAGA white folks) to lead the charge with backing and support from the other communities. Time for white folks to fight the leaders of this country who ARE white folks. JMO
Thank you for this clarity.