As hate-filled attacks multiply, it is long overdue to confront and strike down racism. In the aftermath of the attacks on the Christchurch mosque against Muslim worshippers, it is time to call out white supremacy and neo-Nazism.
On March 15, 2019, a gunman in New Zealand gunned down Muslims worshipping during Friday Prayer. The gunman explained in a 74-page manifesto that Muslim immigration and saving the white race from genocide was the reason he targeted the mosque.
The actions of the gunman were called horrible by the empathizers, and prayers and monetary donations were sent to the families of victims. Once again, however, there is a blind eye on the inhumane actions of neo-Nazis and the rise of white supremacy.
When asked by a Washington Post reporter about the rise of white nationalism, President Trump responded that he does not believe it is a threat. He thinks that there is only a small group of people with a “serious” problem. However, statistics do not agree with the president’s sentiments.
FactChecker.org, reported on March 20, 2019, that there is an increase in both white nationalist groups and rallies in the United States. The organization used statistics from the Southern Poverty Law Center to show that between the years of 2017 and 2018, the number of white nationalist groups increased from 100 to 148. Rallies rose from 76 to 91, according to figures provided to the organization from the Anti-Defamation League.
Acknowledging the increase of white nationalism now comes with questions — why now? Is the president to blame?
The simple answer is no. Yes, there should be leadership from the top, but when leaders become complacent, it is time for everyone to become a leader in his or her own right. It is called integrity, and in many instances, it takes courage. Calling out neo-Nazism and white supremacy for what they are is everyone’s responsibility.
Civil rights activist groups, churches and concerned citizens of all races denormalized the lynching of blacks during the Jim Crow era by calling out the actions of lynch mobs, the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups. As time is repeating itself, it is time to call out the activities of white nationalism before these acts of inhumanity become normalized.
The “supremacy” mindset of any race should be called out if violence is used to get the racists’ messages out. That is the textbook meaning of terrorism. The First Amendment safeguards freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble and the right to a free press — not the use of violent tantrums against people who have different beliefs.
What makes the United States different from the rest of the world is that people can come together with a difference in beliefs and have a peaceful debate without repercussion. Citizens can no longer afford to turn a blind eye as a way to avoid conversations and inhumane acts or the fears in minority communities. People must call out hate, injustice, fear mongering and terror.
