From the time of the tobacco plantations in Virginia 400 years ago, black and brown people were exploited by wealthy landowners.
From the time of the first kidnapping of Africans as enslaved humans, the biggest threat to wealthy white men was an uprising.
Law after law was passed in the colonies to “keep the peace”, which was really to keep the African enslaved and to prevent them from rising up against their chains.
As more and more enslaved people around the world cast off their bondage, White land-owners in America tightened the screws, terrified of the same thing.
White men were required to carry weapons; they were required to capture and return any black man on the street. Any preacher caught preaching against slavery in the 19th century would be fined astronomical amounts and imprisoned. An enslaved person learning to read or carrying a weapon would be brutally suppressed.
The second amendment developed from the violent racism embedded in our culture. A well-armed militia was not to defend against tyrannical governments, but to defend against any slave uprising.
(Even today, the powers that be are terrified of a black man with a weapon, regardless of second amendment rights.)
In my former circles, a group of armed white ranchers protesting the government were freedom fighters and patriots. A group of black men protesting the same thing were thugs who deserved to be shot on sight. (Kyle Rittenhouse, anyone?)
My former denomination is pretending that they have been around for 300 years and are celebrating next week, with Kristy Noem congratulating them. My new denomination is praying for justice, racial reconciliation, and calling on the government to put away greed, hatred and desire for revenge. I am very glad to have nothing to do with my former life.
We need to be clear what is happening in LA. The powers in Washington are not concerned about law and order at all. Remember that the armed white republicans who violently staged an insurrection and stormed the Capitol were painted as freedom fighters, pardoned, and will eventually be financially rewarded.
This is not about peaceful communities. This is about the same thing it has always been about. White power is terrified of angry brown and black people refusing to be exploited and enslaved anymore.
When your white neighbor wears a MAGA hat, this is what he is longing for – the day when BIPOC people knew their place, women stayed at home and white men were in charge.
For all of you MAGA people who pretend to be greatly offended when I call you racist, prove it. Denounce this monster that you placed in office and demand that he and all the white men who have taken arms against the government be punished to the extreme of the law.
Until that happens, we will continue to resist.
Says a white older man who is fed up with hypocrisy, racism, misogyny and hatred.
My Only Comfort 