A few weeks ago, I saw Dr. Carol Anderson speak at the Decatur Book Festival. Dr. Anderson is a professor at Emory University. She talked about American history and politics and her book, ‘White Rage: The Unspoken Truth Of Our Racial Divide”.
She mentioned how “white rage” tends to happen more not when Black people are doing poorly but when Black people don’t know their place. As Black Americans become more successful, the more systematic and institutional racism is installed to keep the status quo. She talked about housing, public education and voter registration. She even mentioned Colin Kaepernick’s protest. I actually thought the Kaepernick thing would actually blow over by now, but I think he accidentally started a movement. People don’t like his protest. They claim it’s not patriotic. Even people who have liberal leanings have issue with his nonviolent and silent protest. He is not holding up signs. He is not singing. He is not wearing a hoodie. He kneels.
I was surprised that even Tanner Colby had an issue with his protest. Tanner Colby is an author of the book, Some of My Best Friends Are Black’ and one of the host of the podcast,’ Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race’. On the podcast, he expressed frustration and questioned the effectiveness of Kaepernick and what was his end goal. Without saying it, he inferred a kind of respectability politics to Kaepernick. I am glad that Anna Holmes (former editor of Jezebel.com) was on the podcast to offer a cogent rebuttal.
There is no protest that happens where everyone is comfortable. Maybe Kaepernick’s protest is the continuation of a conversation that started with Black Lives Matter. Maybe Colin is sick and tired of being sick and tired. I don’t know. Tanner Colby doesn’t know but yet he speculates. I think it is so curious that white people love to create an inner monologue of black people without even having a conversation with them. [I’m talking to you, Lena Dunham.]
Colin’s protest is slowing going viral. His number 7 jersey is selling like hotcakes. Soccer players like Megan Rapinoe are kneeling as well as high school football players around the country. These people are aiming high in the athleticism and professional lives. White rage hates an uppity negro or an ambitious woman. When they aim, they go low. They accuse them of being ungrateful and unpatriotic. They don’t like it when people of color act free. They try to put people in the place. The place is past. The place is dust. Get over it.
