Trump, The Alt-Right, White Nationalists and Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia
By now, many of you have heard about the violence that took place during counter-protests involving the alt-right and other White nationalists and those who oppose their ideology. The initial report has at least two people dead and at least 12 more injured, and that could change.
What is important here is that we, as a collective and race, don’t allow our emotions to get the best of us. We must learn how to channel our anger and frustration into strategic responses that have the capacity to produce efficacious results that provide momentum in the area of socioeconomic stability and empowerment for the collective as a whole.
We must stop expecting others outside of ourselves to provide us with the relief and resources that we are capable of providing for ourselves. Since 1619, one thing has become evident, and that is the fact that Blacks do not have allies. We have sympathizers, but showing sympathy is not tantamount to the willingness to sacrifice some of their comforts and privileges to ensure that our situation improves.
We are in this alone, and we should be okay with that because we have everything we need inside of ourselves to enter the game and win, but it will require a commitment and a willingness to go the distance. It is not the one with the advantage or the one who is most violent who will win; it is the one that is most committed to going the distance.
The violence in Charlottesville is simply the emoting of Whites who are in fear of losing their most precious privilege — a privilege that is covered by the multitudinous machinations and mechanisms that have been established over time in every area of human existence. The removal of the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee is a reminder that the hold that they once had is not as tight as it once was. For the first time in the history of this nation, Whites are looking in their review with uncertainty, and they simply don’t know how to act with that.
It is ironic that Donald Trump would issue a statement condemning the violence when it is his presence and unbridled rhetoric that has emboldened the alt-right and other extreme White nationalists to be more aggressive and bold in their actions and speech.
What I can tell you now is that we must develop the capacity to be calculative and rational in our responses to the actions of others. We need to learn to choose our battles wisely, and we must precise when we act, functioning from a place of understanding. All that we ever wanted is before us, but it will every ounce of will, fortitude, spiritual prowess, and consistency to seize it. Are you up to the challenge? ~ Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.