OPINION: Response to Capitol Breach highlights hypocrisy

Wednesday’s breach of the Capitol building has clearly shown the true colors of Trump supporters as domestic terrorists and perpetrators of Trump’s attempted attacks on American democracy. As the world watched the group of armed and violent rioters smashing through windows and doors of the Capitol building, the conversation of double standards between right wing and left wing demonstrations quickly arose. Comparisons were made between the responses of the Capitol breach and the responses of this summer’s Black Lives Matter movements. Recognizing the hypocrisy of all systems and the general public is important in understanding institutionalized and systemic racism.

To begin, let’s point out the obvious. A vast majority of demonstrators during Wednesday’s breach were white. The demonstrators all looked quite similar and could easily be grouped together. Many did not wear masks despite the massive crowd. Trump flags, Confederate flags, “Don’t Tread On Me” flags, and American flags were being flown inside and outside the Capitol by this group. This is behavior that we are familiar with, and we have seen for the past five years. 

Back in the summer, the Black Lives Matter movement pulled all kinds of people from all walks of life into the streets. There was a large youth presence, as well as Black & Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). Strict rules were implemented during these rallies encouraging social distancing and mask wearing. The Black Lives Matter movement was not new, but this summer created a new wave of empathy and understanding of BIPOC struggles. Demonstrators grieved, listened, educated, and loved. 

The law enforcement response at the Capitol on Wednesday clearly displayed where the police stand. Police were shown taking pictures with demonstrators and letting large groups pass through barricades. Fifty eight police officers were injured, and sixty seven demonstrators have been arrested. The truth of the matter is that the police are on their side. They told us loud and clear after only arresting sixty eight when hundreds stormed through the Capitol. In Detroit this summer, police armed with batons and riot gear loaded hundreds of demonstrators onto school busses after simply breaking a curfew. All across the country, demonstrators were being shot at and tear gassed. People are still sitting in a jail cell for rallying six months ago. If the police were met with the same type of violence during a Black Lives Matter rally that they were met with last Wednesday, thousands of mothers and fathers would be mourning their children. It would have been a massacre. 

A complete breach of the Capitol building is a display of white superiority. Demonstrators pushed and shoved police, broke windows and doors of one of the highest Government buildings in the country, and marched through its halls and Chambers. Shots were fired and bombs were planted throughout DC. Congresspeople were evacuated while their staff hid in closets and bathrooms. If any marginalized group, especially BIPOC, successfully broke into the Capitol building, the bloodshed would be enough to spew through every hallway and room of the Capitol. Once again, it would have been a massacre. 

While many Republican leaders condemned the acts of Wednesday’s demonstrators, the leader of this country refused to. When BIPOC marched through the streets demanding justice for victims of police brutality including Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Elijah McClain, and so many more, the President called demonstrators “pathetic thugs.” He created the propaganda that Black Lives Matter demonstrators are violent anti-American communists, and many followed that propaganda. When addressing Wednesday’s crowd that broke into the Capitol putting many lives at risk, Trump told demonstrators that they are “special” and “loved.” The demonstrators then listened to him, and took Wednesday’s attacks as a victory. Though Trump will be out of the White House by the end of this month, he and his supporters still hold some majority. 

Trump’s propaganda after Black Lives Matter marches also led to a surge of support for police and law enforcement. “Blue Lives Matter” was the epitome of counter-protests. Trump supporters preached respect for law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Those are the same people that broke countless laws during Wednesday’s breach, including violence against police officers and inciting violence. These acts clearly state that “Blue Lives Matter” propaganda was simply an excuse to hate BIPOC and further oppression against them. “Blue Lives Matter” until police force is used against the perpetrators of Trump’s dangerous propaganda. 

Overall, Wednesday’s event was a display of power. The police, the Commander in Chief, several representatives, and many Americans are on their side, violent or not. Yes, our country is divided, but these demonstrators will always have the benefit of the doubt when compared to BIPOC organizers and events. These people successfully walked through the halls of the Capitol. Black Lives Matter demonstrators couldn’t even walk down the streets without being met with police force and violence. The clear double standards between the reaction of protests from the far left between crimes and vandalism from the far right is deeply rooted in this country’s institutional racism, and will prevail until there is a full system change.