The Thriller
Well-Known Member
The more I think about Rittenhouse, the more I think about the history of white vigilantism regarding Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights era. We cannot underestimate the impact of race and how demographic and societal change is leading millions of Americans into believing that "their country" is slipping away from them. Throughout Reconstruction, southern vigilantes took the law into their own hands murdering black leaders, businessmen, schools, and whites who were setting up Freedman Bureaus.
www.history.com
The common defense for this type of vigilantism and terrorism was that northern "carpetbaggers" were "corrupting their communities" and "taking their way of life away." Not that dissimilar from Rittenhouse's defense.
In 1955, Emmett Till was lynched and burned for supposedly whistling at a white woman.
www.history.com
In 1963, a churching in Birmingham was bombed, killing four black girls. The church was used for Civil Rights gatherings. Again, the excuse of "their way of life was being threatened" was used.
www.fbi.gov
In 1964, Civil Rights workers, 2 white and 1 black, were killed near the Philadelphia, Mississippi Fairgrounds. Ronald Reagan in 1980 launched his campaign here, citing "State's rights" and vowed to "RESTORE to states and local governments the power that properly belongs to them."
You can make what you want out of that.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
Without the election of a black Democrat as president, we probably don't get Trump. Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again" was effective because millions don't like the demographic change, don't like seeing women so empowered, and don't like the multicultural democracy that we are turning into. One aspect that is under discussed is the impact white evangelicalism has on all of this. White Evangelicalism, broadly speaking, has merged with Republican politics. It has adopted an "under siege" mentality. It is teaching its adherents that "As America goes so does Christianity." Since they're being taught that America must remain a patriarchal society where white male Christians remain on top, then all actions become justified to combat a nation that is becoming less masculine, empowering women, empowering POC, and less Christian. That is why MAGA is so effective. It's a dog whistle to those you yearn for a more patriarchal, whiter, and Christian society. Seen through this lens, white vigilantism is seen as "self-defense", not murder.
That is what contributed to much of the violence we've seen over the last few years. It's definitely what influenced the BLM protests and the Rittenhouse actions in Wisconsin.
I thought this podcast episode from NPR was one of the best I've ever listened to:
www.wbur.org
@Red I don't know how many other posters will appreciate that podcast. But I thought you especially might.
Freedmen’s Bureau - Definition, Purpose & Act | HISTORY
The Freedmens Bureau was established in 1865 by Congress to help millions of former Black slaves and displaced Southerners in the aftermath of the Civil War.
In 1955, Emmett Till was lynched and burned for supposedly whistling at a white woman.
Emmett Till is murdered | August 28, 1955 | HISTORY
Fourteen-year-old Emmett Till, an African American from Chicago, is brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman four days earlier.
In 1963, a churching in Birmingham was bombed, killing four black girls. The church was used for Civil Rights gatherings. Again, the excuse of "their way of life was being threatened" was used.
Baptist Street Church Bombing | Federal Bureau of Investigation
A 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church by the KKK claims the lives of four African-American girls.
www.fbi.gov
In 1964, Civil Rights workers, 2 white and 1 black, were killed near the Philadelphia, Mississippi Fairgrounds. Ronald Reagan in 1980 launched his campaign here, citing "State's rights" and vowed to "RESTORE to states and local governments the power that properly belongs to them."
You can make what you want out of that.
Murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner - Wikipedia
States' rights speech - Wikipedia
Without the election of a black Democrat as president, we probably don't get Trump. Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again" was effective because millions don't like the demographic change, don't like seeing women so empowered, and don't like the multicultural democracy that we are turning into. One aspect that is under discussed is the impact white evangelicalism has on all of this. White Evangelicalism, broadly speaking, has merged with Republican politics. It has adopted an "under siege" mentality. It is teaching its adherents that "As America goes so does Christianity." Since they're being taught that America must remain a patriarchal society where white male Christians remain on top, then all actions become justified to combat a nation that is becoming less masculine, empowering women, empowering POC, and less Christian. That is why MAGA is so effective. It's a dog whistle to those you yearn for a more patriarchal, whiter, and Christian society. Seen through this lens, white vigilantism is seen as "self-defense", not murder.
That is what contributed to much of the violence we've seen over the last few years. It's definitely what influenced the BLM protests and the Rittenhouse actions in Wisconsin.
I thought this podcast episode from NPR was one of the best I've ever listened to:
Understanding the causes and consequences of white evangelical fear
A recent poll found that more than any other group, white evangelical protestants believe American culture and values are under threat. Why?
www.wbur.org
@Red I don't know how many other posters will appreciate that podcast. But I thought you especially might.
