Dear Black People...
Lest you forget, our babies were once alligator bait.
My stomach turns as I see some Black Americans posting memes and videos across social media in support of what this administration calls “ Alligator Alcatraz”, a concentration camp for unauthorized immigrants.
Are we so far removed from history that we have forgotten what this same country, same government, did to our people? Have we lost the ability to empathize with another group experiencing the same targeting, the same imprisonment, the same mistreatment?
Shame on you.
The one thing that has always set us and other marginalized, often indigenous, groups a part from those who colonize and condemn is our compassion for others. In the midst of enslavement, our mothers provided nourishment to the innocent children of our abusers.
Why?
Because we know that children are not responsible for the sins of their fathers (or mothers). And with early connection, you have potential early intervention. Maybe the hatred doesn’t get passed down or at the very least, is lessened a bit.
Progress of any kind is progress.
And despite what the media and this administration would have you believe, we have come a long way. No, it’s not far enough. That doesn’t discount the advancement that has been made.
A Mandate for the Trump Administration and its ideology is glaringly absent.
Despite campaigning for over a decade, he still only managed to win the 2024 election by 1.4% of the votes. About 77 million people voted for him while a little more than 75 million voted for Vice President Harris, who campaigned for just 107 days. In addition, 80 million didn’t vote at all.
What do the numbers tell us?
The majority of this country is not aligned with Trump.
We know that 93% of Black women and 82% of Black men voted for Kamala Harris. I understand that some of you believe that proximity to whiteness equals power. I get that some believe that proximity to whiteness equals safety.
History has proven that it does not.
Have you forgotten that at one of its most horrific moments in history, this country lynched a Black woman, Mary Turner, for protesting the lynching of her husband the night before and cut her baby from her womb?
While you’re mocking the possible eating of unauthorized immigrants by alligators, remember that the skins of our ancestors were at some point used to make leather in this country.
When people make remarks about “how long ago" it’s been since these things, I point to the current parallels happening across the country. The way Black men were dehumanized and incarcerated is the way unauthorized Hispanic male immigrants are being called “illegals”, “rapists”, “murderers” and imprisoned right now.
Stop and frisk - ICE style
Except they aren’t just frisking. They are kidnapping, imprisoning, and deporting.
Without due process.
And some of you, even if just a few, have the nerve to laugh… to mock, and in some cases, even support these atrocities.
How dare you?
Our ancestors weep at how thoroughly you have been colonized… how far from our peoples true nature you have fallen.
In case you’re wondering, if you agree with this, you’re agreeing with a white supremacist, Laura Loomer.
From “alligator bait” to “Alligator Alcatraz”.
From “nigger” to “forced busing” to “super predator” to “thug” to “DEI” to “woke” to “CRT”…
It’s the same thing in a different time.
What side are you on?
Thanks Dani all I can say is how horrific!
Thank you Dani! What is happening is just horrific.