Who are these people?!? Since January 6, people keep saying “this is not our America,” and “this is not who we are as a country.” I hate to break it to you, but sadly, it is. Since the day Trump came into Presidential power (as opposed to TV personality power–which is also quite substantial), the United States has seen itself go deeper into the abyss. It’s an evil that already existed, and, for better and for worse, has been brought into bright, blinding light throughout the Trump administration. Caging children. Macing protesters. Building walls (or claiming to). Attempting to kill our democracy. So sadly, yeah, this is who we are. Or at least about half of us.
Trump pretends to be a Nazi. (Pretends?). Nice gloves, Don.
This is not a pretty America, and I concede it hasn’t been, not for a long time. (If it ever was). A long history of slavery. Violence against women. Violence against each other. Violence from the police, who are supposed to protect us. Too many cases of police brutality, too many murders of black men and women in particular by the police (or police wanna-bes).
Police violence erupted into the fierce, national protests in 2020. BLM started in 2013, after the death of Trayvon Martin, but sharply re-entered the national news cycle with renewed strength in 2020. After the murders of George Floyd and many others, there was an explosive, powerful uprising among Black citizens and allies that cried, “No more! Enough!”
During the height of this summer’s Black Lives Matter movement (which still continues, as it should), the entire country finally took notice of the numerous murders of Black people at the hands of the police. But within the protests that took place all over the country (and the world), BLM protesters were killed by anti-protesters. Some anti protesters. Sometimes people who weren’t protesting were caught in the fray, too. There were multiple losses and more tragedy. However, the murders of George Floyd, Brionna Taylor and so many others (too many others) also led to a profound global uprising. “Wake up, America, Black Lives matter, too,” the country–and the world–shouted. The call was an unbelievable, powerful cry for justice…but justice still hasn’t come.
A poll conducted by Huffington Post shows that 74% of Americans disapproved the January 6, 2021 storming of the capitol. Yay! United we stand! Well, not so fast. 35% of Republicans surveyed approved of the violent actions taken by Wednesday’s rioters. Approved! What happened last week was an act of terrorism. There is no other word for it. Actually, the word treason works, too. Or coup. Then, those polled were asked if the rioters “went too far but have a point.” 46% of Republicans agreed with that. This is where it gets extra interesting…
Terrorism: the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion.
89% of Democrats said the mob who stormed the capitol “do not represent people like me.” Only 52% of Republicans agreed that the terrorist mob did not represent them! However, 27% of Republicans thought the mob did represent people like them. 27%! Think about this for a minute. Almost 30% of Republicans surveyed relate to, can see themselves in, and identify with, the mob of terrorists who broke into our capitol in an unprecedented attack on our democracy. This sickens me–and it should sicken and horrify you, too, whatever your political party.
Instead, Wednesday’s invasion on the Capitol showed us that Democracy is still at risk. Black lives are at risk. Always. White lives? Not so much. Reports of off-duty police officers participating in the acts of white terrorism on Wednesday have been investigated and confirmed. Some arrests of the rioters were made, but not many, especially given the magnitude of the attack. The terrorists (aka coup supporters) who participated in the events of January 6 were, for the most part, free to go. As of Thursday, only 82 had been arrested. I’m really bad with numbers, but I’d bet you five dollars there were more than 82 people who stormed the capitol, attempting to stop our legitimate Democratic process in order to keep Trump in power.
Black Lives Matter, June 2020 
Capitol Treason, January 2021
In contrast, on June first, 2020, 300 Black Lives Matter supporters were arrested at the Capitol. They were marching. They were not trying to break into the building, for Pete’s sake. They weren’t breaking into the building. They didn’t break into the building. However, since the January 6 Trump-supporting insurrectionists broke into our United States Capitol building, only 82 have been arrested. Yep, you read that right. 82. Rabid Trump supporters broke in, ready to kill Vice President Mike Pence (among others)…and the total of arrests (so far) a mere 82. Think about it: if I had a dollar for every arrest made after the Capitol Coup, I wouldn’t even have a hundred bucks. If I wanted to list the name of each of the people who broke the law at the Capitol, and then who were arrested since Wednesday onward, I could do it, and only in a few paragraphs. In contrast, if I listed the name of each BLM protester arrested in June, I couldn’t even get it all on one page. The difference in the responses by the police, for these two very different events, is more than alarming, and it reveals all too well what a divided America we have become. It’s as simple as black and white.
Black Lives Matter protest, 2020 
MAGA Trump Protesters, 2021
According to People magazine, police confirm “shocking and shameful behavior.” Really? Shocking and shameful, that’s it? What about Trump committing sedition, inciting his followers to storm the capitol?
Sedition: Incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.
Many people hate public speaking. This gentleman wants a podium. 
The Viking also gigs at Lion King.
What about calling it like is: an insurrection? What about disgusting and violent acts of terrorism? Or just an outright coup?
Coup D’état: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics, especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group, a military coup d’état of the dictator.
Merriam Webster
Carefully, calmly, gentle protesters wear masks while practicing safe social distancing on Wednesday, January 6, 2021
The acts of both the police and the mob on Wednesday clearly point to the racism that we all know exists. Even in the White House–or maybe especially–we are reminded that there is no justice for African Americans in this country. Peacefully protesting as part of a powerful BLM movement? Watch out! Invading, breaking into and threatening the lives of our country’s own legislators? No problem. While this time the noose was meant to threaten the life of a very white, very conservative Vice President Pence, we know from where the racist symbolism-and the very real threat–came. A racist history is never far away while there is still a racist present. So, yes, Black Lives still matter.
