"There are many white people who mean right and in their hearts wanna do right. If 10,000 snakes were coming down that aisle now, and I had a door that I could shut, and in that 10,000, 1,000 meant right, 1,000 rattlesnakes didn’t want to bite me, I knew they were good... Should I let all these rattlesnakes come down, hoping that that thousand get together and form a shield? Or should I just close the door and stay safe?"
Some of you have heard this quote before, from an interview of Muhammad Ali in 1971, and many have shared it already in past months or years or even at the time. I urge you to watch him speak the full quote himself. It is all the more true, relevant, and painful once again today. A cautionary tale. A painful one. Please, no matter who you supported, read this and try to understand. So that we can work forward.
There were 10,000 snakes coming down that aisle.
And many were professedly, blatantly, and proudly willing to bite. The rest? They formed no shield.
White people, privileged people, safe people, let those rattlesnakes descend upon our fellow Americans. We were those rattlesnakes. We have shown our natures – confirmed the question, time and time again, when it comes down to it. Even those who "mean right and in their hearts wanna do right." Some, in the form of direct votes for the man just elected, and some, in not voting. Or others, in a lack of care, lack of empathy, lack of sight, lack of seriousness, lack of responsibility, lack of dedication, lack of listening. . . We did not do all that we could to stop an unsafe and hateful situation, and instead tolerated it. It disgusts me that I have to explain this, that white people still do not get it, did not and do not take things seriously. In all of this, I also want to avoid stroking the egos of white people by inflating their sense of importance. There are too many out there already with White Savior mentalities. That is not what I want. That's not what anyone wants. I highly doubt that is what Muhammad Ali's quote is suggesting by a shield -- his quote is saying that there have been violent, hateful, and racist people who identify as white. Despite those white people who are honestly "good", the fact remains that there is a danger to people of color. And that, unfortunately, white people historically and presently cannot be relied upon to do what is required of them: confront the racism in themselves, and stand up against the racism in other white people. Especially if it causes them inconvenience or discomfort. So, it seems the safer, more logical choice to avoid white people altogether. That it is certainly, based on this, in one's best interest to be wary. (And Muhammad Ali goes on to explain that he cannot so quickly forget the 400 years of lynching, killing, rape, and injustices and ignore all of that when he sees a white person)
After this election and its rhetoric, after so much of the history of this country in particular.... it is very hard to disagree. Especially when the odds of a bite are, perhaps, far more likely than one in ten. It would seem so, when I look at a map of the vote of this country.
Some of you have heard this quote before, from an interview of Muhammad Ali in 1971, and many have shared it already in past months or years or even at the time. I urge you to watch him speak the full quote himself. It is all the more true, relevant, and painful once again today. A cautionary tale. A painful one. Please, no matter who you supported, read this and try to understand. So that we can work forward.
There were 10,000 snakes coming down that aisle.
And many were professedly, blatantly, and proudly willing to bite. The rest? They formed no shield.
White people, privileged people, safe people, let those rattlesnakes descend upon our fellow Americans. We were those rattlesnakes. We have shown our natures – confirmed the question, time and time again, when it comes down to it. Even those who "mean right and in their hearts wanna do right." Some, in the form of direct votes for the man just elected, and some, in not voting. Or others, in a lack of care, lack of empathy, lack of sight, lack of seriousness, lack of responsibility, lack of dedication, lack of listening. . . We did not do all that we could to stop an unsafe and hateful situation, and instead tolerated it. It disgusts me that I have to explain this, that white people still do not get it, did not and do not take things seriously. In all of this, I also want to avoid stroking the egos of white people by inflating their sense of importance. There are too many out there already with White Savior mentalities. That is not what I want. That's not what anyone wants. I highly doubt that is what Muhammad Ali's quote is suggesting by a shield -- his quote is saying that there have been violent, hateful, and racist people who identify as white. Despite those white people who are honestly "good", the fact remains that there is a danger to people of color. And that, unfortunately, white people historically and presently cannot be relied upon to do what is required of them: confront the racism in themselves, and stand up against the racism in other white people. Especially if it causes them inconvenience or discomfort. So, it seems the safer, more logical choice to avoid white people altogether. That it is certainly, based on this, in one's best interest to be wary. (And Muhammad Ali goes on to explain that he cannot so quickly forget the 400 years of lynching, killing, rape, and injustices and ignore all of that when he sees a white person)
After this election and its rhetoric, after so much of the history of this country in particular.... it is very hard to disagree. Especially when the odds of a bite are, perhaps, far more likely than one in ten. It would seem so, when I look at a map of the vote of this country.
Some tried to prevent this outcome, sure. But far too many did not care. Some (an electoral college worth) wanted it, and that was largely, undeniably white people rooting. It is disturbing that so many wanted this election to go as it did, though if you know anything about history and the reality of this country, it should not be a surprise (and that is depressing). Were there other factors? Certainly. Men, in particular. I could write a very similar article about that (and likely will, because I feel no more inclination towards trust of men than I do towards 10,000 rattlesnakes, especially after this election. There are far too many ready and willing to strike me and other women down, even if there are some who are "good"). For example, a disturbing 53% of male voters overall, regardless of race, voted for trump, and a startling 63% of white male voters despite how overtly the messages of racism, hate, and sexism were advertised. A huge, blatant, hateful dose of misogyny, that will keep me feeling pain for the rest of my life. That was clearly a decisive, depressing factor. But it is undeniably factual: white people played an inextricable role (with white women, perplexingly and in typical racist tradition aligning with trump. Or perhaps more accurately, not coming out to support Hillary when it came down to the line). White people helped decisively make this situation and to make this choice, and white people had a choice. Not a hard choice. A very basic choice. And it was white people who, largely, tipped things the way it went: 88% of Black voters went with Clinton, along with 65% of Latinos, and 65% of Asian voters. No, there should not have been a question in terms of which candidate for anyone, and everyone could have done more. But I'm sick of this. I see those numbers. I know what's up. Misogyny. Apathy. And Racism. In this moment, I want to specifically address the Racism -- but the other two are bound up in it.
Far too many of you, white men, have done this. Far too many of us, white women, have done this. And do not dare to shift and say that it was not all white people. Ya'll could've made a difference. You knew what was happening, and you faced the least risk in speaking out against it. This is the same stunt you've pulled so many times before. When I look to white people, even as a white person, I feel no trust.
Do not misunderstand. Do not turn away in anger, if you are a white person reading this, or anyone else taking offense, because you think I am calling you a snake. You are being short-sighted if that is the message you take from me – or perhaps you do not understand metaphors. Please. Listen. Read. To hear the hurt of others, without closing one's ears simply because it is uncomfortable -- that is called basic maturity and decency. In this moment, that hurt and pain is a glaring wound, running through so many people, of all backgrounds, including many white people. Yet, the inability of so many people with my pallor to practice empathy without jumping to defensiveness frankly astounds me. You need to listen. This mess needs to be dealt with, and you need to listen.
It is a stark, serious, and looooong-standing problem that so many white people cannot and will not discuss the racism in this country to the point that they are surprised when it bursts forth so prominently. It did not come from nowhere. Oh, you didn't see it? You didn't hear all those people dying from it? Now, it is the very least that that any person can do: listen. If you are white, you must learn to do so. You do not deserve to be coddled – you do not have a right to have your feelings tip-toed around when lives are on the line, much less when you take offense at someone discussing racism or sexism and you don’t take offense at hate crimes. What's with that? Explain it to me. Explain it to everyone. No, not when you so often and so cavalierly dismiss the feelings of others, ignoring history and ignoring voices, because it is convenient to you. Your feelings in life deserve consideration, absolutely. But not yours alone, and not when they are deliberately obstructionist. How utterly conceited. Now, white people need to listen, as they have refused to do before. This mess we have helped make needs to be dealt with.
So, I want to make things clear. Because we are in a very dangerous moment.
You say that "not all trump supporters are racists/sexists/bigots". Sure, I hear you, that may be true, or you might yourself feel that way. I hope to heavens that is true (though it neglects the fact that active racism and passive tolerance of racism are both racism). I hope that there are actually a majority among trump voters who did not understand what this election meant for others’ well-being and value as humans, and that there is a majority among trump voters who truly do not accept hatred – though, it is concerning, in that case, that it was not obvious what was at stake, given how openly racist and sexist so much of the language and platforms of trump have been. Kind of hard to ignore! So, while I recognize that many trump supporters are people who have felt hurt themselves, abandoned by our economy, I think that is very misleading.
Because, personally, I cannot abide any who align themselves willingly with hate for their benefit. Hate that was blatant. Hate that you swallowed or were willing to overlook, even if you might otherwise be genuinely “kind”, because you saw some benefit to yourself in a trump candidacy and his message and that was good enough for you. Or because you couldn’t bear to vote for the other candidate, or because you are feeling worn down and ignored and have faced financial or very real economic heartbreak – heartbreak which I recognize, and I hear, and I want to fix, heartbreak that I have felt, that I really, truly empathize with, but that I would never be willing to let sway me towards tolerating hate or bigotry around me. Or, because you did not care, because you did not listen, or because you honestly did not believe the hateful things trump said, or because those things did not matter to you, because you did not take it seriously. Whatever infinite combination of good or bad intentions. You, because you do not have to sift through 10,000 snakes on a daily basis to identify the good from the bad, maybe, can afford that kind of ambiguity.
And you, “liberals”. Especially you, liberal white person. You. You who tell me that your vote did not matter, so you sat it out. You, democrats and “liberals”, who tell me that you just could not stomach the democratic candidate (who, despite your spurn, stood up tirelessly against hate nevertheless) even when the alternative posed such risk to the lives and rights of so many. You, who acted so superior. So superior to those of us who plead with you to look at the facts, look at the candidates, act responsibility with your vote. Confront your sexist mentalities. Confront your implicit biases. Take things seriously. See the big picture. Ah, but you preferred Bernie. I see.
You, who purposely did not vote. Do not dare to claim any shred of morality, any of you, who willingly stood aside and discarded the power of your vote. Not when so many fought for that right. Not when so many, even this very week in this very country, were denied that right. (Voter suppression, intimidation, moving polling places, all of these disproportionately disadvantage many people of color, and infringe upon their rights. Not to mention that those convicted of felonies, in prison, and on probation cannot vote, and disproportionately it is people of color who are imprisoned and charged for crimes that white people are not). Not when you could have made a difference and taken a stand at a dangerous moment. Not unless you were forced between a vote for Hitler and a vote for Stalin would I find what you did to be morally acceptable in this moment, with these stakes. (And if you truly honestly think that was indeed the choice before you, I am concerned for you and want to talk together. Because one candidate believed in everyone's human rights, and one did not. Trump did not. Or, if you wish not to talk, then maybe go spend some time in Russia and take with you a nice stack of history books to read with Putin?).
Some shield you all proved to be. And yet you still have the gall to ask people to trust you, people who are hurting?
You, white people, and especially those who did not vote or who voted trump or voted third party, you told me. You told your fellow Americans, people of color and of so many other oppressed and marginalized groups: “indeed, it is true! I would let the rattlesnakes have you, so that I might have my way!”
However you justify your choice, that does not change things. That you are a “nice person” does not change things. Not to me. Not to many. And then you have the audacity to be shocked –shocked!— at the hate and reality that your fellow Americans, people of color, women (excepting 52% of white women voters who are, apparently, cool with it), Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, differently-abled individuals, refugees, and so many others warned you of for so long. You. Have. Not. Been. Listening. The racism and sexism and hatred has always been there. You just ignored it, because you were able to, and ignored the experiences of those suffering from it. Nah, if you are shocked, you just haven't cared. Racism, sexism, slavery, genocide...that is the foundation of this country, and we never resolved it. Because the vast majority of white people have actively been counterproductive, complacent, or obstructionist in dealing with and addressing racism, discrimination, and injustices in the past, and in this moment. And that's not even counting the violent ones.
You try to say it will be okay. To move on. To accept it. It is done. To shift blame.
Listen to Muhammad Ali's words again, and then tell me that. Tell me. Tell those who are fearful, tell them to trust a crowd of "good people" that is riddled with some who have openly wished very literal death and oppression upon them or their family (and if you believe that is an over-reaction and are rolling your eyes or are off-put, look to the hate crimes that are occurring with trump’s name literally written beside them, the shirts that called to “hang the bitch”, the cries of n*****, of f**). Who wish that on myself as a woman, on so many others. Some who supported trump are regular, hard-working, good Americans? Maybe. But, if that is who you are, you seem to accept that you chose to support those who would bite -- you chose to come down that aisle, and when the racists, bigots, misogynists, and neo-nazis around you reared up to strike, you allowed them to do so. You slithered along beside them. In great numbers, you allowed them to do so. And tried to say that the venom and poison was not so lethal, or will not be so lethal, even as those who have been bitten time and time again know its pain. Explain your choice.
You felt ignored and abandoned and angry (sometimes understandably, because this country does indeed have serious socioeconomic issues), so a couple million casualties were an acceptable trade? Was it fun?
You would ask to trust, when the test was before you, and you failed it already?
And if you willingly did not vote, that is what you, too, allowed. You are no better. You failed the test utterly. You stood by and watched, and refused to intervene -- you watched, as rattlesnakes rushed down that aisle, knowing that some among them were ready to bite, knowing their targets. Knowing that some among them carried very literal venom. Knowing that you could stand against it and prevent it. Were asked for help. And you did nothing. Or you chose instead to bemoan the unfairness and misfortune, from the safety of your moral pulpit.
Tell my fellow Americans, who are fearing for their lives, to walk among rattlesnakes – in a crowd such as that, where it is impossible to know who hates your existence, and who was feeling jaded about the economy. Tell me to walk among rattlesnakes. I dare you. Let us all walk among rattlesnakes. In fact, now, there may be no other path. You tell people to do this – people of color, women (especially women of color), LGBTQ+ individuals, people of different religions and backgrounds – and then you deride us for being fearful. For being apprehensive and anxious and angry for the struggle ahead.
Because those rattlesnakes that want to strike? They are here. They are out, in the daylight. They have been waiting. People told you they were there, underfoot. And they have been riled and encouraged by those around them, buoyed by the company and support and lack of repercussion, have stood in the rallies sharing warm shoulder-space with the downtrodden. Indeed, it would seem that those bigots – out now fearlessly drawing swastikas, wearing blackface, threatening Muslim women – they celebrate the man just elected as their charmer. A man who, regardless of whatever other messages of his somehow appealed to you, has happily accepted that role of charmer instead of denouncing it. He did not think twice about accepting the endorsement of the truly hateful. If I had been trump in that moment, I would have been devastated.
Can you not see how this is distressing? How this is hurtful?
Because this is the reality for so many who are not white. Indeed, for many who are not white, cis-gendered, straight males. Whether you in your own life have experienced this or not, the vast majority of people of color face risk to their lives and safety on a daily basis, and there is a very legitimate reality of uncertainty towards those who are the oppressors in the system that we live in. Even "good" rattlesnakes might strike, if provoked -- and "smaller" poisons (microagressions, for example) are not less toxic just because they do not outright kill. If you are white, and still reading, I need you to confront this reality and understand it and hear it -- you may not be aware of it, or you may already be aware, but I ask that you vow to listen. And if you are white and feel that you are oppressed, then why would you ever have anger and hatred before you have empathy and solidarity? Why? Equality, rights, love, peace – these are not in limited supply. You did not need to exchange the rights of others for your own. You needed to lend a hand.
This is not something that generally needs to be explained to those who, simply because of their racial or cultural identity, live a reality of oppression, fear, and uncertainty. If you are a woman (excepting again, apparently, 52% of white women voters who are seemingly fine with racism, sexism, and xenophobia), LGBTQ+, Muslim, an immigrant, a refugee, or another oppressed group, you likely recognize this reality, or have experienced a similar reality of oppression, hatred, pain, fear, or discrimination. For some, your identity may encompass more than one oppressed group, and you may have experienced or be experiencing this on multiple levels. (I say this not to explain it to people who experience this. Because you already know. But of the hope that it sinks in to those who may be white or more privileged)
I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help. To make sure that you are safe. I am ashamed. But that is not enough. And that solves nothing, nor does it excuse me. I, as a white person, take responsibility for these actions, and recognize the history of this country, and the systematically racist and sexist forces in place, such that as a white person, I understand my complicity and will speak out against it. I will continue to denounce hatred, bigotry, racism, sexism, misogyny, Islamophobia, xenophobia, violence, discrimination. I will speak up. I will devote myself. I will learn. I will listen. I will act. I will follow. I will put myself on the frontlines. I will support. I will do these things, and I will accept compassionately, humbly, respectfully, that not everyone will be willing or able to trust me -- I will recognize why, and I will continue to be kind and compassionate and to be a force of good, in defense of human rights, dignity, equity and inclusion. I will listen when I do wrong or make a mistake, and do better.
But I need anyone who has stood by in the face of hatred of any form (against people of color, against women, against those of different religions, abilities, backgrounds, origins, cultures, economics, etc.) and has not helped to stop it when they were able, I need that to change henceforth and forever. We are at crossroads now, where we can decide never to allow this to happen again.
And I truly want to know. If even a portion of those who supported trump (or any similar cause or candidate, because this is happening not just in the U.S) are so violent towards people of color and towards so many people different from themselves, if even a portion very literally threatens the lives and safety of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, Muslims, refugees and so many others, how can you tell anyone to TRUST that situation?
How can you demand that? How can you not see why there is such fear? Fear, based on the factual and demonstrated actions and rhetoric of the candidate elected. The candidate who had enough support in this country to be elected. Why can you not bring yourself to listen?
You tell me that not all white people are racist or hateful? Listen to Muhammad Ali's words, and then tell me that now. Tell me that it is better to watch someone be killed or poisoned, and refuse to take blame when you KNOW you could have prevented it. You think so?
When the majority of white voters voted for a man openly endorsed by the KKK, even if those voters profess to be good and even if their hearts somehow truly want to do right and even if they are motivated by whatever hardship or personal experiences that caused them to believe that man might help their own plight, how can you tell people of color, or anyone from a group now facing fear and uncertainty, to move on? How can you tell anyone to move on – any compassionate, loving human – from something so appalling in its confirmation and legitimization? Is it really reasonable to think someone who did not mind that their candidate was endorsed by the KKK can be relied upon to shield a person of color from harm? To care?
How can you tell people of color or any other oppressed or marginalized group to let themselves be consumed by this oncoming threat to their existence? Or LGBTQ+ individuals (whose VP would electrocute them in order to “fix” them)? Or women (who men are now gleefully saying they will grab by the pussy “because trump said it” and who have been powerfully told they will never be good enough, who have been told that decisions about their body are not their own)? Or immigrant families (whose family members may be deported, and who have been called criminals and rapists)? Or black Americans (whose lives you say do not matter, who you shoot and kill without remorse, and whose rights you do not mind to violate)? Or Muslim women (who are having their headscarves ripped from them)? Or Native peoples (who now face an administration that would run pipelines across all lands)?
How can you tell anyone to accept that? How can you move to safe ground, you who chose this with your vote or by not standing against it, knowing who you have forsaken in exchange for your perceived betterment? To accept a future where your fellow Americans and fellow humans might, at any moment, face violent retaliation against their existence? Was your apathy comfortable?
How, when so many white people failed to protect (let alone respect) the safety of those who are oppressed, when so many white people refused to listen to that fear and to the heart-felt pleas, when so many people disregarded the basics of human compassion.... how can you possibly ask someone to trust and move on?
Because in this moment in history, in this country, in this election, in this week, there are many who decided to bite. And there are many who have been bitten. And there are many who stood by.
Muhammad Ali's words are the reality that has played out before us. As they have in the past, and as they will in the future, unless people do better. Now, as many people of color and many others of oppressed or marginalized groups feel fear and distrust – feel unsafe, and uncertain – I ask white people to consider themselves in the situation Muhammad Ali describes. How would you feel now? How would you feel, in the wake of a national confirmation of the nature of rattlesnakes that you must live with.
This hatred has always been there. Now, it is in plain sight even for those who refused to see it. See it. And listen. Do better. You can bet that I will be fighting like hell.
And when those rattlesnakes come down that aisle, what is your excuse?
Far too many of you, white men, have done this. Far too many of us, white women, have done this. And do not dare to shift and say that it was not all white people. Ya'll could've made a difference. You knew what was happening, and you faced the least risk in speaking out against it. This is the same stunt you've pulled so many times before. When I look to white people, even as a white person, I feel no trust.
Do not misunderstand. Do not turn away in anger, if you are a white person reading this, or anyone else taking offense, because you think I am calling you a snake. You are being short-sighted if that is the message you take from me – or perhaps you do not understand metaphors. Please. Listen. Read. To hear the hurt of others, without closing one's ears simply because it is uncomfortable -- that is called basic maturity and decency. In this moment, that hurt and pain is a glaring wound, running through so many people, of all backgrounds, including many white people. Yet, the inability of so many people with my pallor to practice empathy without jumping to defensiveness frankly astounds me. You need to listen. This mess needs to be dealt with, and you need to listen.
It is a stark, serious, and looooong-standing problem that so many white people cannot and will not discuss the racism in this country to the point that they are surprised when it bursts forth so prominently. It did not come from nowhere. Oh, you didn't see it? You didn't hear all those people dying from it? Now, it is the very least that that any person can do: listen. If you are white, you must learn to do so. You do not deserve to be coddled – you do not have a right to have your feelings tip-toed around when lives are on the line, much less when you take offense at someone discussing racism or sexism and you don’t take offense at hate crimes. What's with that? Explain it to me. Explain it to everyone. No, not when you so often and so cavalierly dismiss the feelings of others, ignoring history and ignoring voices, because it is convenient to you. Your feelings in life deserve consideration, absolutely. But not yours alone, and not when they are deliberately obstructionist. How utterly conceited. Now, white people need to listen, as they have refused to do before. This mess we have helped make needs to be dealt with.
So, I want to make things clear. Because we are in a very dangerous moment.
You say that "not all trump supporters are racists/sexists/bigots". Sure, I hear you, that may be true, or you might yourself feel that way. I hope to heavens that is true (though it neglects the fact that active racism and passive tolerance of racism are both racism). I hope that there are actually a majority among trump voters who did not understand what this election meant for others’ well-being and value as humans, and that there is a majority among trump voters who truly do not accept hatred – though, it is concerning, in that case, that it was not obvious what was at stake, given how openly racist and sexist so much of the language and platforms of trump have been. Kind of hard to ignore! So, while I recognize that many trump supporters are people who have felt hurt themselves, abandoned by our economy, I think that is very misleading.
Because, personally, I cannot abide any who align themselves willingly with hate for their benefit. Hate that was blatant. Hate that you swallowed or were willing to overlook, even if you might otherwise be genuinely “kind”, because you saw some benefit to yourself in a trump candidacy and his message and that was good enough for you. Or because you couldn’t bear to vote for the other candidate, or because you are feeling worn down and ignored and have faced financial or very real economic heartbreak – heartbreak which I recognize, and I hear, and I want to fix, heartbreak that I have felt, that I really, truly empathize with, but that I would never be willing to let sway me towards tolerating hate or bigotry around me. Or, because you did not care, because you did not listen, or because you honestly did not believe the hateful things trump said, or because those things did not matter to you, because you did not take it seriously. Whatever infinite combination of good or bad intentions. You, because you do not have to sift through 10,000 snakes on a daily basis to identify the good from the bad, maybe, can afford that kind of ambiguity.
And you, “liberals”. Especially you, liberal white person. You. You who tell me that your vote did not matter, so you sat it out. You, democrats and “liberals”, who tell me that you just could not stomach the democratic candidate (who, despite your spurn, stood up tirelessly against hate nevertheless) even when the alternative posed such risk to the lives and rights of so many. You, who acted so superior. So superior to those of us who plead with you to look at the facts, look at the candidates, act responsibility with your vote. Confront your sexist mentalities. Confront your implicit biases. Take things seriously. See the big picture. Ah, but you preferred Bernie. I see.
You, who purposely did not vote. Do not dare to claim any shred of morality, any of you, who willingly stood aside and discarded the power of your vote. Not when so many fought for that right. Not when so many, even this very week in this very country, were denied that right. (Voter suppression, intimidation, moving polling places, all of these disproportionately disadvantage many people of color, and infringe upon their rights. Not to mention that those convicted of felonies, in prison, and on probation cannot vote, and disproportionately it is people of color who are imprisoned and charged for crimes that white people are not). Not when you could have made a difference and taken a stand at a dangerous moment. Not unless you were forced between a vote for Hitler and a vote for Stalin would I find what you did to be morally acceptable in this moment, with these stakes. (And if you truly honestly think that was indeed the choice before you, I am concerned for you and want to talk together. Because one candidate believed in everyone's human rights, and one did not. Trump did not. Or, if you wish not to talk, then maybe go spend some time in Russia and take with you a nice stack of history books to read with Putin?).
Some shield you all proved to be. And yet you still have the gall to ask people to trust you, people who are hurting?
You, white people, and especially those who did not vote or who voted trump or voted third party, you told me. You told your fellow Americans, people of color and of so many other oppressed and marginalized groups: “indeed, it is true! I would let the rattlesnakes have you, so that I might have my way!”
However you justify your choice, that does not change things. That you are a “nice person” does not change things. Not to me. Not to many. And then you have the audacity to be shocked –shocked!— at the hate and reality that your fellow Americans, people of color, women (excepting 52% of white women voters who are, apparently, cool with it), Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, differently-abled individuals, refugees, and so many others warned you of for so long. You. Have. Not. Been. Listening. The racism and sexism and hatred has always been there. You just ignored it, because you were able to, and ignored the experiences of those suffering from it. Nah, if you are shocked, you just haven't cared. Racism, sexism, slavery, genocide...that is the foundation of this country, and we never resolved it. Because the vast majority of white people have actively been counterproductive, complacent, or obstructionist in dealing with and addressing racism, discrimination, and injustices in the past, and in this moment. And that's not even counting the violent ones.
You try to say it will be okay. To move on. To accept it. It is done. To shift blame.
Listen to Muhammad Ali's words again, and then tell me that. Tell me. Tell those who are fearful, tell them to trust a crowd of "good people" that is riddled with some who have openly wished very literal death and oppression upon them or their family (and if you believe that is an over-reaction and are rolling your eyes or are off-put, look to the hate crimes that are occurring with trump’s name literally written beside them, the shirts that called to “hang the bitch”, the cries of n*****, of f**). Who wish that on myself as a woman, on so many others. Some who supported trump are regular, hard-working, good Americans? Maybe. But, if that is who you are, you seem to accept that you chose to support those who would bite -- you chose to come down that aisle, and when the racists, bigots, misogynists, and neo-nazis around you reared up to strike, you allowed them to do so. You slithered along beside them. In great numbers, you allowed them to do so. And tried to say that the venom and poison was not so lethal, or will not be so lethal, even as those who have been bitten time and time again know its pain. Explain your choice.
You felt ignored and abandoned and angry (sometimes understandably, because this country does indeed have serious socioeconomic issues), so a couple million casualties were an acceptable trade? Was it fun?
You would ask to trust, when the test was before you, and you failed it already?
And if you willingly did not vote, that is what you, too, allowed. You are no better. You failed the test utterly. You stood by and watched, and refused to intervene -- you watched, as rattlesnakes rushed down that aisle, knowing that some among them were ready to bite, knowing their targets. Knowing that some among them carried very literal venom. Knowing that you could stand against it and prevent it. Were asked for help. And you did nothing. Or you chose instead to bemoan the unfairness and misfortune, from the safety of your moral pulpit.
Tell my fellow Americans, who are fearing for their lives, to walk among rattlesnakes – in a crowd such as that, where it is impossible to know who hates your existence, and who was feeling jaded about the economy. Tell me to walk among rattlesnakes. I dare you. Let us all walk among rattlesnakes. In fact, now, there may be no other path. You tell people to do this – people of color, women (especially women of color), LGBTQ+ individuals, people of different religions and backgrounds – and then you deride us for being fearful. For being apprehensive and anxious and angry for the struggle ahead.
Because those rattlesnakes that want to strike? They are here. They are out, in the daylight. They have been waiting. People told you they were there, underfoot. And they have been riled and encouraged by those around them, buoyed by the company and support and lack of repercussion, have stood in the rallies sharing warm shoulder-space with the downtrodden. Indeed, it would seem that those bigots – out now fearlessly drawing swastikas, wearing blackface, threatening Muslim women – they celebrate the man just elected as their charmer. A man who, regardless of whatever other messages of his somehow appealed to you, has happily accepted that role of charmer instead of denouncing it. He did not think twice about accepting the endorsement of the truly hateful. If I had been trump in that moment, I would have been devastated.
Can you not see how this is distressing? How this is hurtful?
Because this is the reality for so many who are not white. Indeed, for many who are not white, cis-gendered, straight males. Whether you in your own life have experienced this or not, the vast majority of people of color face risk to their lives and safety on a daily basis, and there is a very legitimate reality of uncertainty towards those who are the oppressors in the system that we live in. Even "good" rattlesnakes might strike, if provoked -- and "smaller" poisons (microagressions, for example) are not less toxic just because they do not outright kill. If you are white, and still reading, I need you to confront this reality and understand it and hear it -- you may not be aware of it, or you may already be aware, but I ask that you vow to listen. And if you are white and feel that you are oppressed, then why would you ever have anger and hatred before you have empathy and solidarity? Why? Equality, rights, love, peace – these are not in limited supply. You did not need to exchange the rights of others for your own. You needed to lend a hand.
This is not something that generally needs to be explained to those who, simply because of their racial or cultural identity, live a reality of oppression, fear, and uncertainty. If you are a woman (excepting again, apparently, 52% of white women voters who are seemingly fine with racism, sexism, and xenophobia), LGBTQ+, Muslim, an immigrant, a refugee, or another oppressed group, you likely recognize this reality, or have experienced a similar reality of oppression, hatred, pain, fear, or discrimination. For some, your identity may encompass more than one oppressed group, and you may have experienced or be experiencing this on multiple levels. (I say this not to explain it to people who experience this. Because you already know. But of the hope that it sinks in to those who may be white or more privileged)
I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help. To make sure that you are safe. I am ashamed. But that is not enough. And that solves nothing, nor does it excuse me. I, as a white person, take responsibility for these actions, and recognize the history of this country, and the systematically racist and sexist forces in place, such that as a white person, I understand my complicity and will speak out against it. I will continue to denounce hatred, bigotry, racism, sexism, misogyny, Islamophobia, xenophobia, violence, discrimination. I will speak up. I will devote myself. I will learn. I will listen. I will act. I will follow. I will put myself on the frontlines. I will support. I will do these things, and I will accept compassionately, humbly, respectfully, that not everyone will be willing or able to trust me -- I will recognize why, and I will continue to be kind and compassionate and to be a force of good, in defense of human rights, dignity, equity and inclusion. I will listen when I do wrong or make a mistake, and do better.
But I need anyone who has stood by in the face of hatred of any form (against people of color, against women, against those of different religions, abilities, backgrounds, origins, cultures, economics, etc.) and has not helped to stop it when they were able, I need that to change henceforth and forever. We are at crossroads now, where we can decide never to allow this to happen again.
And I truly want to know. If even a portion of those who supported trump (or any similar cause or candidate, because this is happening not just in the U.S) are so violent towards people of color and towards so many people different from themselves, if even a portion very literally threatens the lives and safety of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, Muslims, refugees and so many others, how can you tell anyone to TRUST that situation?
How can you demand that? How can you not see why there is such fear? Fear, based on the factual and demonstrated actions and rhetoric of the candidate elected. The candidate who had enough support in this country to be elected. Why can you not bring yourself to listen?
You tell me that not all white people are racist or hateful? Listen to Muhammad Ali's words, and then tell me that now. Tell me that it is better to watch someone be killed or poisoned, and refuse to take blame when you KNOW you could have prevented it. You think so?
When the majority of white voters voted for a man openly endorsed by the KKK, even if those voters profess to be good and even if their hearts somehow truly want to do right and even if they are motivated by whatever hardship or personal experiences that caused them to believe that man might help their own plight, how can you tell people of color, or anyone from a group now facing fear and uncertainty, to move on? How can you tell anyone to move on – any compassionate, loving human – from something so appalling in its confirmation and legitimization? Is it really reasonable to think someone who did not mind that their candidate was endorsed by the KKK can be relied upon to shield a person of color from harm? To care?
How can you tell people of color or any other oppressed or marginalized group to let themselves be consumed by this oncoming threat to their existence? Or LGBTQ+ individuals (whose VP would electrocute them in order to “fix” them)? Or women (who men are now gleefully saying they will grab by the pussy “because trump said it” and who have been powerfully told they will never be good enough, who have been told that decisions about their body are not their own)? Or immigrant families (whose family members may be deported, and who have been called criminals and rapists)? Or black Americans (whose lives you say do not matter, who you shoot and kill without remorse, and whose rights you do not mind to violate)? Or Muslim women (who are having their headscarves ripped from them)? Or Native peoples (who now face an administration that would run pipelines across all lands)?
How can you tell anyone to accept that? How can you move to safe ground, you who chose this with your vote or by not standing against it, knowing who you have forsaken in exchange for your perceived betterment? To accept a future where your fellow Americans and fellow humans might, at any moment, face violent retaliation against their existence? Was your apathy comfortable?
How, when so many white people failed to protect (let alone respect) the safety of those who are oppressed, when so many white people refused to listen to that fear and to the heart-felt pleas, when so many people disregarded the basics of human compassion.... how can you possibly ask someone to trust and move on?
Because in this moment in history, in this country, in this election, in this week, there are many who decided to bite. And there are many who have been bitten. And there are many who stood by.
Muhammad Ali's words are the reality that has played out before us. As they have in the past, and as they will in the future, unless people do better. Now, as many people of color and many others of oppressed or marginalized groups feel fear and distrust – feel unsafe, and uncertain – I ask white people to consider themselves in the situation Muhammad Ali describes. How would you feel now? How would you feel, in the wake of a national confirmation of the nature of rattlesnakes that you must live with.
This hatred has always been there. Now, it is in plain sight even for those who refused to see it. See it. And listen. Do better. You can bet that I will be fighting like hell.
And when those rattlesnakes come down that aisle, what is your excuse?
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