Good people sat and hedged too long. Americans were given an ultimatum by the alt-right in Charlottesville this weekend — our politicians must shout explicit condemnation for white nationalists and white separatists. Silence is now support. We’re out of time.
The middle ground burned, raged, and drove over people in Charlottesville. Silent politicians will soon be considered sympathizers at best. The hateful brandished KKK and Nazi clothing, flags, salutes, and chants. They applauded GOP silence as support, especially Trump’s vagueness. The alt-right set this ultimatum, not the general public.
We need to marginalize this absurdity again while most if it can still be a 1A issue. If they have legitimate issues to bring to the table, then they will need to first drop the radical hatred. Until then the rest of Americans have no cause to listen. Until then, the entire alt-right might as well be literal Nazis on American soil and treated as if it were 1945. Tolerance doesn’t extend to violence or its rhetoric.
Supremacy in any form is a disease to be cured. Nationalism is a poison to be treated. Any racial nationalism or separatism are an attack on our nation’s body. The body must defend itself.
America is strong because it’s a mixing pot. Because we work through our problems. We resent and hate, then we listen and accept. We even love sometimes. Hatred won’t be heard. Separatism and supremacy can’t be accepted — specific problems will and can. Together we triumph. Together America is exceptional.
x-posted on Medium: https://medium.com/@jasonmacdee/the-alt-right-wake-up-call-63319f68b8c3
Featured Image: Various white supremacists unironically carrying Polynesian-style torches in protest of the removal of a statue celebrating the violent and subversive defense of a belief in the moral and Godly correctness of white supremacy, racism, and slavery. Image from USA Today.