Let’s begin issues off by saying, there’s a world of distinction between a hate crime and the implications of being a racist in public. However in right now’s America—fueled by Donald Trump’s tradition of grievance and white victimhood—the traces are being deliberately blurred. And as traditional, Black individuals are paying the worth.
Take the newest viral incident in Holly Springs, Mississippi. A white man, reportedly intoxicated, barges into an area bar and begins throwing across the n-word prefer it’s 1825. When patrons reply with fists as an alternative of forgiveness, he finally ends up stripped bare and crushed with poles. Now police are investigating that as a possible hate crime towards the person who got here in utilizing racial slurs. The audacity can be laughable if it weren’t so rattling harmful.
Let me say it once more for the folks within the again: Struggling the implications of your personal racism shouldn’t be a hate crime.
We’ve entered a brand new period within the American grift. The place as soon as white supremacy used hoods and hearth, it now dons authorized briefs and GoFundMe hyperlinks. Racism isn’t only a perception system—it’s a enterprise mannequin. A worthwhile one at that.
Bear in mind Shiloh Hendrix, the girl accused of calling a five-year-old Black little one the n-word at a Minnesota playground? She didn’t cover in disgrace. She launched a donation marketing campaign and raised over $750,000. That’s proper. You possibly can racially terrorize a toddler and stroll away with three-quarters of one million {dollars}. And folks marvel why these incidents are rising.
Kyle Rittenhouse killed two folks at a Black Lives Matter protest and walked out of court docket a conservative celeb with a PR workforce and a podcast. George Zimmerman profited off killing Trayvon Martin by posting autographed Skittles and gun memorabilia. We’ve received a pipeline of racist provocateurs turning public outrage into private revenue, and white America is footing the invoice.
That is larger than particular person bigotry; it’s systemic, and Donald Trump is its greatest investor.
From the second he stepped into workplace, Trump launched an all-out assault on range. Whether or not by gutting DEI applications, penalizing faculties for acknowledging race in admissions, or signaling to the January sixth insurrectionists that their actions have been worthy of clemency and probably compensation, he’s made one factor crystal clear: defending whiteness is the highest precedence. And he’s backed it with presidential pardons and marketing campaign guarantees to “have a look” at punishing the Capitol officer who shot Ashli Babbitt.
Trump’s messaging has created a local weather the place white folks really feel emboldened to impress, antagonize, and weaponize their very own “victimhood,” then sue or crowdfund when actuality punches again. And once they’re referred to as out? The authorized system turns into their subsequent hustle.
The American Bar Affiliation is watching this unfold in actual time. The explosion of libel circumstances tied to racism allegations proves that white fragility is not only a TikTok speaking level—it’s a litigation technique. Zimmerman v. Buttigieg. Amy Cooper’s defamation declare towards her employer. Even Oberlin School was sued for defamation as a result of its college students dared to protest a bakery after a Black pupil’s arrest.
Let’s be actual, this isn’t about clearing names. It’s about silencing truth-tellers and draining the assets of Black Individuals who dare to call what they see. It’s punishment disguised as justice. These lawsuits are supposed to bankrupt and intimidate us out of holding anybody accountable for racism.
In the meantime, white individuals who do have interaction in documented, verified racism get to cry on digital camera, monetize their misdeeds, and retire off public pity. We’ve moved from the Karen will get caught on tape period to the Karen cashes out section of the grift.
And the worst half? The media typically performs alongside. “Unarmed man crushed after bar altercation,” they’ll say. Or “Police investigating hate crime.” What they need to say is: “Drunken racist assaulted after upsetting patrons with slurs.” However that doesn’t match the narrative of white innocence and Black savagery, so that they skew the framing, and we maintain getting performed.
Let’s name this what it’s: a coordinated cultural and authorized assault on Black self-preservation. It’s not about what was stated. It’s about who has the fitting to say something in any respect. As a result of if white folks get to weaponize racism and gather a examine once they get referred to as on it, what message does that ship? That your trauma is their transaction. That our ache is simply one other worthwhile cease on the Caucasian Tear Tour.
To be clear, I’m not advocating violence, however I’m demanding readability. Penalties are usually not oppression. Accountability shouldn’t be a hate crime, and Black folks refusing to be disrespected isn’t reverse racism.
If we don’t draw a transparent line now, the precedent being set will make sure that each racist has a lawyer on pace dial and a Venmo QR code tattooed on their chest. The query isn’t whether or not they’ll be punished for racism—it’s how a lot they’ll revenue from it.
So whereas Trump pardons rioters and courts entertain libel fits from recognized bigots, the remainder of us are left navigating a system that punishes fact and rewards audacity. It’s not simply unjust—it’s un-American.
However then once more, possibly that is probably the most American factor of all.
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