Charlottesville
One year later, we are still left with the question, “What are you willing to sacrifice?”
One year ago white supremacists converged on Charlottesville, Virginia, with the stated goal of unifying the American white nationalist movement. They engaged in violent confrontation, violently assaulting DeAndre Harris and murdering Heather Heyer. Their actions over the course of two days led to three deaths and dozens of serious injuries. This year, these same white supremacists are marching on our nation’s capital.
On this solemn anniversary I find myself wondering if those of us who stand against hate and oppression truly understand the depth of the issue before us.
The type of hate on display in Charlottesville for two days in August last year is the type of hate many in this country have faced their entire lives. This hate is systemic. It did not emerge because of one hate rally or the election of one president.
The majority of the so-called Alt Right in attendance were proud to show their faces. They were willing to risk and sacrifice being identified, ridiculed, and possibly fired from their jobs in an effort to further advance the ideals of white supremacy.
In the face of this emboldened hate, those of us who believe in unity, who believe in liberty and justice for all people, must each ask ourselves, “What are we willing to risk and sacrifice to end white supremacy?”
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Heather Heyer was willing to put her body on the line, and tragically she gave her life in the fight for justice and equality. As a long-time community activist, I know that not everyone can make the same sacrifices that Heather, DeAndre, and others made that day. I don’t expect all those who are oppressed, nor our allies in verb form, to be willing to give their lives for the cause. But each of us must be willing to give more than we currently are.
Charlottesville happened because a systemic rebuke of hate has not happened. Change begins with us — with you. What are you willing to put on the line?
Will you risk relationships in your life, by confronting bigotry espoused by your family members, friends, and coworkers? Will you sacrifice time and energy to change our political system and elect new leaders? Will you vote, and will you urge others to vote? Will you reach out to your community and get involved, build relationships, and forge the bonds needed to stand up to hate?
On this day, it’s not enough to make hashtag, we each must look ourselves in the mirror and ask what are we willing to risk and sacrifice for change? If we don’t, we will continue to live in a society where hate is comfortable and oppression is welcomed.
For today, please consider a contribution to the Heather Heyer Foundation or Black Lives Matter to support their important work empowering activists and confronting systemic hate.
And tomorrow, I hope you will join us in the fight to change the system that led to Charlottesville.
Anthony V. Clark is a high school special education teacher, a veteran, and founder of Suburban Unity Alliance. Anthony ran for Congress on the Brand New Congress slate in 2018 to represent Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, and is currently planning to run again in 2020. You can follow Anthony on Facebook and Twitter, or learn more about his foundation at suburbanunity.org.
