Two Americas
by C.A. Matthews
There are, in reality, two Americas. One for those who have justice. One for those who seek it and receive it not.
Many Americans believe they have not received justice when, in fact, they have received justice at the expense of many others. When they get angry enough about what they perceive as a lack of justice, they're apt to form large groups or mobs and seek revenge against those they feel have thwarted it. They, of course, will not see themselves as vengeance seekers but rather as "patriots" or "revolutionaries."
What would you say is the main difference between an "Angry Mob" and "True Revolutionaries"? I'll venture to say it's one of simple motivation.
An Angry Mob is out for their own selfish gain and holds to a twisted sense of justice. True Revolutionaries want to see things change for the better for all people, so that all may enjoy the fruits of a just and fair world.
An Angry Mob in America will more than likely be made up of white supremacists, because white supremacists may want things to change--but only for the people who make up their group. They take their anger out on others who aren't in their group. They will not have any qualms about destroying public property or threatening violence against those in authority as long as they get their way.
One way to look at an Angry Mob is to think of them as cranky toddlers who don't get their way and throw a hissy fit when you tell them it's time for bed. Or a cranky toddler with the nuclear codes in his possession.
So, on January 6, 2021, the Feast of the Epiphany--the celebration of the Magi (Brown skinned immigrants) who traveled from the East (Iran?) to visit the infant Jesus (another Brown person)--the Angry Mob, containing openly defiant white supremacists, decided to trash our Capitol building and threaten violence on the people therein, killing a police officer in the process. Do these self-centered, homicidal, domestic terrorists think of themselves today as "True Revolutionaries" and "patriots"? You bet your bottom dollar they do!
This irrational contradiction sums up the legacy of Trump's America. Correction--this has always been America's legacy. No matter what anyone says to the contrary, since America's inception we have worshiped violence. We throw temper tantrums whenever we don't get our way in the world and start coups d'état against governments that don't bend to our will. We've enslaved millions both in the past (forced immigrants from Africa) and in the present (underpaid wage slaves, both foreign born and domestic).
This is America, lady. You're not a patriot. You're a patsy for the oligarchy who couldn't care less about you or your friends.
There's been no great change to make life better, more just, for all Americans during the Trump years. Or the Obama years. Or the Bush years. Or the Clinton years. Or the Reagan years. Or probably even in the Biden years to come.
And that is perhaps America's saddest legacy of all.
Until we become united as a people into One America, a genuine democracy of the people and for the people, America will never be truly great--again or for the first time.
Related Articles:
The US Has Entered a Frightening Weimar Era
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/07/united-states-has-entered-frightening-weimar-era
MAGA vs. BLM: How Police Handled Capitol Mob and George Floyd Activists in Pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/capitol-mob-police-trump-george-floyd-protests-photos
On Far Right Websites Plans To Storm Capitol Were Made in Plain Sight
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/67178-on-far-right-websites-plans-to-storm-capitol-were-made-in-plain-sight
What We Know About the 5 People Who Died
https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/what-we-know-about-the-5-people-who-died-during-riot-at-u-s-capitol/
Thirteen Charged in Federal Court Following Riot at US Capitol (Approximately 40 charged in Superior Court)
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/thirteen-charged-federal-court-following-riot-united-states-capitol
Police Confirm Death of Officer Injured During Attack On Capitol
https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/07/954333542/police-confirm-death-of-officer-injured-during-attack-on-capitol
Trump Resisted Sending National Guard to Capitol
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/67162-trump-resisted-sending-national-guard-to-capitol
Man Who Posed for Photos Sitting At Pelosi's Desk Arrested
https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/08/954940681/man-who-posed-for-photos-sitting-at-desk-in-pelosis-office-has-been-arrested
Storm the Capitol as a White Man and You'll Get a Selfie with Cops
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/67159-storm-the-capitol-as-a-white-man-and-youll-get-it-a-selfie-with-a-cop
FBI, Homeland Security, White House Advisors Foresaw Possible Riots
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/67160-fbi-homeland-security-white-house-advisers-foresaw-possible-riots-looked-the-other-way
Trump Only Agreed to Condemn Capitol Rioters After Realizing He could Face Legal Trouble for Inciting Them
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/67168-trump-only-agreed-to-condemn-the-capitol-rioters-after-realizing-he-could-face-legal-trouble-for-inciting-them
***
From Progressive Caucus Action Fund:
As white vigilantes attacked the US Capitol this week, the mayor of the District of Columbia had to ask the Trump administration for permission to deploy the National Guard to defend human life and preserve order on the streets of Washington.
It was denied, just one of the many injustices the diverse city of Washington faces without representation in Congress.
The Washington Post reports that “Democratic control of the Senate — and Capitol breach — put D.C. statehood front and center.”
Tell your members of Congress right now: DC needs statehood!
Statehood for the majority-minority District of Columbia is a racial justice imperative.
Over the summer, federal government police agencies used violent, draconian force against DC’s Black Lives Matter protests, over the objections of DC’s local government.
But when majority white pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol, the federal government dragged its feet and prevented the District from taking action.
It’s time to end taxation without representation, and stop treating DC’s 700,000 residents as second-class citizens.
PCAF supporters have written tens of thousands of letters demanding DC statehood, helping the Washington DC Admission Act pass the House for the first time ever last year. Now is the best chance we’ve ever had to make DC Statehood a reality.
Tell your members of Congress right now: DC needs statehood!
Thanks for taking action.
-- PCAF
***
The world recoiled in horror as a band of pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol, demanding that the current regime stay in power.
Many said, "this isn't America." But it happened here, not in a distant foreign land on our TV screens. And it was fueled by the President of the United States
Donald Trump is so dangerous to our democracy that he must be removed from power now, whether it's through swift impeachment or the 25th Amendment.
We have learned from the Trump administration how thin the line is between a robust democracy and state failure.
We saw the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world as America fell behind other first world nations. We saw how one wannabe strongman could threaten basic principles of democracy.
And now, a ragtag bunch of maniacs was able to penetrate the US Capitol.
For immigrants that fled chaotic regimes, these were dark reminders.
But our belief in the American spirit is strong. We can do better. We must do better.
And that starts with removing Donald Trump. Now.
Thanks for taking action.
-- Progressive Reform Network
***
When a president incites violence, calls his followers to commit treason, and disregards democracy it is clear they cannot be allowed access to our nuclear codes. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has already called on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, to prevent an unlawful nuclear strike but the reality is, not even Milley could lawfully stop President Trump.
Sign the petition: Congress must enact No First Use Now!
Congress must step up and enact No First Use now for the sake of people and the planet. Our representatives have experienced first hand the results of the president’s violent rhetoric and know better than anyone the damage he can cause. We cannot wait for the next Administration to pass No First Use, we must demand action now.
In solidarity,
Tristan and the Beyond the Bomb team