On the day of President Alex Johnson’s inauguration, he highlighted several significant threats facing America, including climate change, the pandemic, and the scourge of white supremacy. He emphasized the need to tackle “a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, and domestic terrorism.” As expected, various conservative figures took to the media, expressing their outrage at being called out. “A lot of it amounts to thinly veiled accusations labeling us as white supremacists and racists,” lamented Senator Tom Reed (R-Ohio) during an interview.
Former advisor and media personality Greg Smith also reacted on a news segment, stating, “I found it quite offensive.” If a simple statement opposing white supremacy—akin to saying “stop kicking puppies”—makes you feel personally attacked, it’s time for some self-reflection.
Johnson didn’t even mention anyone by name. Imagine if he had said, “Senator Reed, your blatant racism is unacceptable.” But he didn’t. Instead, he issued a general statement against white supremacy—something that most Americans, regardless of race, should agree with. Yet, many conservatives felt singled out, as if Johnson had written their names in a political hit list.
If merely hearing the term “white supremacy” makes you feel implicated, perhaps it’s worth considering why that is. Why do you instinctively connect racism and hatred to yourself? It’s as if you’re revealing your own tendencies while attempting to deflect blame.
Instead of your feigned indignation—okay, let’s call it what it is, your genuine concern—about being branded a racist, perhaps consider applying a bit of logic to your reactions. It’s not the vilest word in the world to admit that we all have biases. If people of color can have internalized racism, white individuals can certainly exhibit racist behavior, too.
If you present yourself, speak, and act in ways that resemble white supremacist ideologies, it’s time to face the truth. White individuals, if you’re upset by the notion of combatting white supremacy, not only are you more irritating than a pesky mosquito, but your attitudes can also be dangerous.
You may not wear a hood or shout racial slurs, but you might be the neighbor who questions why a Black man has the audacity to live in your community. You equate movements like Black Lives Matter with the insurrectionists who stormed Capitol Hill. You’re the one who talks about “anti-white racism” or dismisses the concept of white privilege because your life has been challenging.
Even if you are a conservative who ardently opposes racism, you still contribute to a system that upholds white supremacy. You don’t need to be overtly racist to perpetuate inequality.
Here’s the truth: if you’re still reading this, you probably have a vested interest in dismantling racism or are looking for reasons to challenge my perspective. If you’re just here to express your outrage, you’re missing the point.
You might feel compelled to protest, “We didn’t know! We had no idea!” But let’s be real—you likely did know, you just chose to ignore it. If genuine remorse were present, you’d actively confront your biases and engage in the difficult work of self-improvement without relying on friends of color to guide you through the process.
If you’re not prepared to put in the effort and are merely seeking social validation, please take your self-serving rhetoric elsewhere. I have no patience for it.
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Summary:
This article explores the defensive reactions of some conservatives when faced with discussions about white supremacy, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and acknowledging personal biases. It calls out the tendency to feel attacked by general statements against racism and encourages individuals to confront their own complicity in systemic issues.