On August 12th, 2017, the Unite the Right rally, made up of white supremacists, white nationalists, neo-nazis, and militias, descended on the college town of Charlottesville, Virginia ostensibly to protest Confederate monuments that were being taken down or moved.
But these were not peaceful, respectful marches. No, this was a display of hatred and intimidation.
Before the end of the day one man ran his car into a crowd of peaceful counter-protesters, injuring 19 people and killing 32 year-old, Heather Heyer.
Another Unite the Right rally is set for tomorrow in Washington D.C. in front of the White House. Hopefully this one won’t end in tragedy as well. As I personally reflect upon the last year, I’m sad to say that nothing has changed as far as racism in America and is it all that surprising when we have a president who can’t bring himself to unequivocally condemn racism and bigotry of any kind. Even his so-called commemorative tweet today was pathetic. So, as I continue to watch this country’s struggle to find its soul, I found a quote that perfectly summed up my feelings.
It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.
Audre Lorde, feminist, poet, and civil rights activist.
1934-1992
It would be nice if one day we didn’t need to have memorials like this.
You must be logged in to post a comment.