Will the end of white supremacy be the end of the United States?

By Kimberly Harris, M.Ed.

Distinctive Voice Consulting

 

On January 06, 2021, I sat in horror and disbelief as I watched a violent insurrection upon our nation’s democratic process of election certification. It has taken me six months to process this event as I still cannot believe that legions of crazed Trump supporters desecrated our nation’s capital in an attempt to stop the election certification of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. I sat there wondering if I was in America or in some non-democratic third world banana republic. Of all of the elections in the history of the United States, why was this one different? What has changed in our society where election results were not accepted by the losing party?

 

A second surprise and disbelief is how ill-prepared our law enforcement was for this known event. The lack of law enforcement support created an environment where chaos ensued in an almost purposeful way. How was law enforcement overly prepared for the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020 over the death of George Floyd, but so scantly present when they knew Donald Trump was holding a rally on January 6^th and that many of those attendees were very unhappy with the election results based on Trump’s peddling of the big lie: that he, Donald Trump, really won the election and that election machinery changed votes from him to Joe Biden on November 3rd. After more than 50 lawsuits were filed on behalf of Donald Trump to challenge the election, and dismissed, one might think that the results were acceptable. Not one of those lawsuits were accepted, even though some of those lawsuits decided by judges Republican-leaning states where one might think Trump had a political advantage.

 

Lastly, as a Christian, I was flabbergasted at how a group of the January 6^th Trump supporting insurrectionists gathered in the Senate chamber to pray for our nation. The prayer can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6ouOO35lvs

 

Was this the behavior of Christians? Were these believers acting in ways that were Christ-like? Did God honor their prayers? Were these “believers” demonstrating godly behavior that would point and encourage others to be followers of Jesus Christ? I think not. The God I know is a God of love. The bible tells us to honor our government leaders and processes. It tells us not to kill. Because of these rioters people died on January 6^th. People in law enforcement: people with families who were there to protect our democracy. How can Trump supporters criticize the protests for George Floyd then turn around and riot at the capital and kill law enforcement officers? The double standard here is mind boggling.

 

These Trump supporters were acting in fear, not love. Fear of the loss of the America they know, where white supremacy is the order of the day. The fact that the election was decided in States that were predominantly African-American was too much for these insurrectionists to comprehend. These insurrectionists want to live in an America where white European values are the norm and this battle is one of white supremacy versus inclusivity and the acceptance that America is changing. It is becoming a minority-majority country. In this new America, white European values will no longer be the norm. America will have the opportunity to test its principles and values of equality for all and the acceptance of majority rule.

 

But back to Christianity because I do not want to let followers of Christ, of which I am one, off the proverbial hook here. White supremacy has long been intertwined with Christian faith. After all, white slave holders used the bible to justify owning African slaves. What our society needs is leadership and direction and I am sorely disappointed in the lack of leadership from our white evangelical Christian brothers and sisters who stay silent on these matters. As an example of how the Christian church should be speaking up on these matters I leave you with an example sermon. This sermon is by Pastor Terry Anderson of Lilygrove Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. This sermon, posted this past March, is 27 and ½ minutes long and will change the way you see the church. This sermon is an example of the way church should be speaking up in these times of polarity and division. A house divided cannot stand. An America divided cannot stand. If we do not find a way to come together in this country, the United States may become the Divided States. In our division we may fall to a larger, more powerful, united nation. The choice is yours America. United we stand or divided we fall.

Please watch Pastor Anderson’s powerful sermon here and feel free to post your constructive comments in the comments section: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6ouOO35lvs

 

 

 

The Intersection of Politics & Polarization: How Othering is Destroying our Democracy

By Kim Harris, M.Ed

www.DistinctiveVoiceConsulting.com

 

 A favorite resource of mine is the Othering & Belonging Institute at my alma mater, U.C. Berkeley. On April 21, 2021, the institute held an othering and belonging summit online. This summit can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3ESJth8hjWf86vhidQzJFwTbcpGP54OZ

 

One panel of interest was the one hour session featuring filmmaker and author Astra Taylor, Political Science Professor Taeku Lee, and organizer DeJuana Thompson titled “A Conversation on Democracy & Belonging”. This specific talk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTm4c64fAE.

 

The conversation arose from questions around what is keeping America from progressing, why are we not living up to our ideals of equality for all, and what’s happening to our democracy. These questions were asked through the lens of broken systems highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Such systems as: equitable access to healthcare and the American policing system.

 

The three speakers raised thought provoking concepts and issues to unpack causes of systemic inequity and an assault on the United States electoral system. For this blog I’d like to highlight what U.C. Berkeley Political Science Professor Taeku Lee discussed: our current state of polarization.

 

The democratic process is a beautiful one. It allows for the input of many thoughts and opinions and through this collaborative process we arise at a decision of the will of the majority to guide our direction. Over the last decade there has been a decline in our tolerance for differences that has been attributed to Russian meddling and disinformation via social media as well as a decline in the manner in which our politicians conduct their messaging. Professor Lee shares three ideas beginning at the 12 minute mark in the session: ideological, racial and epistemic polarization.  Professor Lee describes ideological polarization as the divide between democrats and republicans and liberals and conservatives. The divide in ideological opinions between these groups was measured at 32% in 2014. Professor Lee posits that this percentage would be much higher today. Lee cited a source stating that there are two signs of a failing democracy: the polarization of societal politics and the decline of mutual tolerance. Professor Lee observes these signs in our society today.

 

According to Professor Lee, racial polarization is described as realities of the dominant culture (whites in the United States) and that of people of color being different. Lee states that we see today’s politicians using racial polarization to gain power and win elections. He shares that the Republican Party has been taken over by white supremacist groups that use dog whistling language in their rhetoric to divide people and gain power. When the people in the majority scapegoat and minimize the needs of people from marginalized groups like minorities and immigrants, this is described as “othering”.

 

Professor Lee describes epistemic polarization as the difference in realities of members of society. He uses law enforcement as an example. Many folks from the dominant culture in America, i.e. white folks, see police as a source of safety and security while most people of color share a different experience and fear the police. Another example here is the politicization of mask wearing. Some folks see mask wearing as government control while others see it as a public health matter. When we as a society face large problems, we have to be able to agree on the problem. If we cannot agree on the problem for large matters, we fail like a sinking ship.

 

So what can we do to save our democracy and survive as a nation? This panel of experts recommends we that collaborate, radically invest in communities of color to bring up those who are falling behind in society, and organize. We have to work together on matters that are important to us so that we can help our nation progress, live up to our ideals of equity, and maintain our democracy. A wise man once said, “A person alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three even better, for a triple-branded cord is not easily broken.” So triple-brand yourself with positive, equity focused groups and organizations and be the change. Let’s work together as one people to share wealth, power and take care of those in need. Our great nation will be judged on how we treat the least among us so let’s stop blaming those left behind and create systems that include and provide for the needs of everyone.

 

For a list of Whatcom County progressive organizations for which to organize email me at DistinctiveVoiceConsulting@gmail.com