Here’s the thing about racism in American politics: it all goes back to the old canard of divide and conquer. The book, Nixon’s Piano, lays out how playing the racism political card throughout history between George Washington and Bill Clinton. The only problem I have with this book and similar books is that they only deal with the white and black of racism. They neglect to incorporate how every anti-miscegeny law, every racist practice, custom and law ever used was based on fear of indigenous peoples.
From the East Coast to the West Coast, from North to South and everywhere in between, indiginous cultures were inclusive, diverse and equitable. White colonialists exploited the differences between their worldview that was based on patriarchy, exclusion, division and exploitation (and, of course, white supremacy), and the indigenous peoples’ traditional worldview of diversity, equity and inclusion.
White colonialists and manifest destiny believers had to strip power from the indigenous peoples’ cultures that welcomed run-away indentured servants, those bound by chattel slavery and other ‘outcasts’ of white society. White colonialists had to convince not only their own fellow whites, but also the various indigenous peoples of their powerlessness in comparison to white supremacy.
I will not go into the deep history of breaking indigenous peoples’ cultures. But, I will remind you, dear reader, that the indigenous peoples have a long history of resistance to white supremacy. Peoples of the Southeast worked to free those held in chattel bondage. Peoples in the Northeast welcomed run-away indentured servants. Indigenous peoples heavily influenced the Founding Fathers’ decision to form this country of the people, by the people and for the people. Indigengous peoples influenced our current form of 3 co-equal branches of government. It was white supremacists who made the rest of us fight for equality.
“So, Bear,” I hear you, dear reader, ask, “what does this have to do with today’s troubles?” I am so happy you asked! Today’s troubles are based on the false idea that white supremacy has any power. But, in order for us to have an honest discussion about white supremacy in this country, we first have to understand how white supremacy has perverted the collective interpretation of our history, has perverted how the federal government is supposed to work and how SCOTUS is currently perverting the interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.
The Tangerine Terrorist (TT) needs to convice all of us in the United States that white supremacy is powerful in order to convince us that we are powerless. Looking at our history, white supremacy is powerless. The only way for white supremacy to exert any power is through bullying and violence. Bullies are cowards who believe that power is shown through violence.
The real reason TT had to pardon and commute the sentences of his supporters is because he needs them to be violent against all of us. TT believes that violence is power. He is an overgrown toddler who has always gotten his way by throwing a tantrum.
Power is not violent. Power is quiet and steadfast and for everyone. Powerful people rarely raise their voices because they do not need to be loud to get attention. Powerful people do not need to flood the news with misdeeds because misdeeds are for the weak who believe that strength is shown by misbehaving. Powerful people do not divide others as there is no need to divide others to be powerful. Powerful people do not need supporters to do violence in their name as violence in the name of another is weakness.
Every time the American people have stood together, we show that we are powerful. Every time we stand up for diversity, equity and inclusion, we show how much power resides with us. Every time we stand up to white supremacists, we show how powerless and empty they are. Every time we join together to form a more perfect union, we succeed. The history of the United States of America is littered with violent, white supremacist uprisings. These uprisings always fail because white supremacy is unAmerican; it is an imported idea that has no place in this country.
Find those who are afraid of violent reprisals and give them safe harbor. Find common ground with them and invite them to join you. When all of us stand together, watch how fast the unAmerican, white supremacist bullies and the cowards run away.
Do not obey in advance. Do not give up your power.
Illigetimi non carborundum.