Who would have ever imagined a US president intentionally stirring up racial hatred and animosity, especially in the middle of an extreme global pandemic?
Even more shocking has been the virtual silence from those literally in his midst, including medical professionals, emergency officials and appointed and elected officials, this while he has been stirring up anti-Chinese sentiment. Compared to those that are remaining silent, a few journalists have actually had the temerity to question the president about his intentional scapegoating, not only of an entire country, but entire peoples, which includes all Asian peoples, as white supremacists, historically, have rarely been able to differentiate between Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese peoples, etc.
Since he daily also blames the media for this crisis, one would also think that perhaps the White House press corps would all walk out during his press conferences that only serve to reinforce his ignorance, mendacity, ineptness, corruption of his administration. Minimally, we should all be expecting the medical professionals to vehemently object to this virulent racism as their guiding philosophy and principle is: do no harm.
But this is not happening, which is the epitome of normalization. The day he announced his candidacy, while disparaging Mexican peoples and migrants, that should have also been the last day of his campaign. The failure to check him permitted him to proceed to disparage and denigrate virtually every other group in this country, including women, Central Americans, African Americans, Arab and Muslim Americans, American Indians, the LGBT community, veterans, the disabled, and of course, the Asian American community via his constant hostility, especially toward “China.”
But fast forward to today, when leaders are warning us about not succumbing to fear and panic, yet nary a word about not also succumbing to white supremacy, xenophobia and misogyny.
Let’s return to the topic of “Do no harm.” I’m imagining that the reason very few of those mentioned above are stepping forward is because they are prioritizing the health of the people of this country. This is good. However, this is not a case of either-or. It should never be acceptable to promote any kind of hate, racial animosity or supremacy of any kind, but especially in the midst of a global crises.
In spite of the white supremacist occupying the White House, the nation is coming together. This also, despite the corruption of the administration, the greed of politicians and the hoarding by the scared masses. Amid this tragedy, people are looking out for each other, their family, friends and their neighbors, coming together in community.
If it is understood that we are also in the middle of a national crisis, why has this country not dealt with the nation’s white supremacy and rampant misogyny, especially that of this administration, before? Arguably, white supremacy is the root of all modern evil. And in the white house, we have exhibit A.
White supremacy is also a virulent disease and it has existed for hundreds of years, especially as brought to us via the extreme violence of colonialism imperialism and vulture capitalism. To have permitted it to exist all these years tells us about the value of the lives of primarily people of color. Who permitted it to resurface publicly virtually unchallenged, says much about this society. Truthfully, white supremacy has been even more deadly for people of color than this virus, though of course, we also know that the spread of diseases, intentional or otherwise, have actually been part of genocidal schemes against indigenous peoples and other peoples of color.
Thus, why the silence?
No, it is not less important to wipe out white supremacy and no, it is not acceptable to remain silent about it, especially when it is in front of us and especially when it is coming direct from the White House.
That it has existed unencumbered through all these years says much about this society. Throughout the history of white supremacist groups, this country has never even labeled them as terrorist organizations. What explains this? It is the federal government that does the labeling and apparently, if the targets are people of color, how then could they be terrorists?
The world and this country will recover from this pandemic and then eventually, we will return to the status quo. Unfortunately, that status quo includes treating all the above groups mentioned as less than human.
For many, it is unacceptable to leave anyone behind in this crisis due to the ineptness and corruption of this administration. Priority has to be bringing about a medical solution and at the same time, it will be difficult to return to a society that winks at or permits white supremacy to continue to be ensconced in this administration and specifically, in the White House. There may no longer be an option.
Update: Since the White House occupant made his statements about the "China virus," he has “taken back” his comments, but violence against Asians has skyrocketed and white supremacy continues to be his philosophical center.
Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez is associate professor at the University of Arizona and is the author of several books including “Our Sacred Maiz is Our Mother” (2014) and “Yolqui: A Warrior Summoned from the Spirit World” (2019). Email XColumn@gmail.com
From The Progressive Populist, April 15, 2020
Blog | Current Issue | Back Issues | Essays | Links
About the Progressive Populist | How to Subscribe | How to Contact Us