Someone forget to rest the chill button for 2016. Just few days into the new year we have a terrorist attack right here in America, and what’s worse, there seems to be some sort of news blackout going on. What’s the haps?!
Here’s the scoop:
On Saturday afternoon about 300 Muslims gathered to protest government abuse. After a peaceful march, a splinter group of jihadists–some known to police and the FBI for previous radical activities–broke off to head to a federal airport. They occupied a local federal building-an empty airport terminal-and reports of 15-150 people with an unknown quantity of guns have said thy are now prepared to hold the airport hostage for “years.” One of the leaders involved told a reporter they are willing to “kill and be killed” in the name of Allah.
Wait, no that’s all wrong. There is no armed muslim extremist group holding federal land. Besides, if there was, would Fox news be referring to them as Patriots? Hell no.
On Saturday afternoon about 300 Black Lives matter protesters gathered to protest police brutality. After a peaceful march, a splinter group of BLM leaders–some known to police and the FBI for previous standoff in Baltimore–broke off to head to a federal courthouse closed for the holidays. They occupied a local federal building-the courthouse-and reports of 15-150 people with an unknown quantity of guns have said thy are now prepared to the courthouse for “years.” One of the leaders involved told a reporter they are willing to “kill and be killed.”
Oh, wait, totally wrong again. Despite many, many protests in support of the movement for Black Lives, no part of the movement has staged an armed takeover. No leader of the movement has advocated kill or be killed. Fox called them Anarchists. I call them citizens acting within their constitutional right.
Here’s the real story:
On Saturday afternoon about 300 people gathered to protest government abuse. After a peaceful march, a splinter group of militia leaders–some known to police and the FBI for a previous standoff on the Clive Bundy ranch–broke off to head to a federal wildlife preserve. They occupied a local federal building on the preserve and reports of 15-150 people with an unknown quantity of guns have said thy are now prepared to occupy the preserve for “years.” One of the leaders involved, Ryan Bundy, told a reporter they are willing to “kill and be killed.” Despite the fact that an armed militant group has taken over federal property, listed demands, and is holding territory with weapons, no law enforcement has engaged with–or even driven out to monitor more closely the movements of the armed militants.
Yes, that story is correct. Now check out story 1 and story 2: can you imagine them ending with police falling back? would this ever happen?
Despite the fact that armed jihadists have taken over federal property, listed demands, and are holding territory with weapons, no law enforcement has engaged with–or even driven out to monitor more closely the movements of the extremists.
Or this?
Despite the fact that armed Black radicals have taken over federal property, listed demands, and are holding territory with weapons, no law enforcement has engaged with–or even driven out to monitor more closely the movements of the armed radicals.
Nope, never going to happen. The language and framing of the Oregon standoff case shows again the huge disparity in not only how we talk about protest, violence and terrorism, but how we as a nation think about these things. It is not just the way one group is treated, but the differential in validation, blame and punishment between groups where modern racism is at its most visible.
Apologists for the Oregon armed invaders are already lining up to minimize, deflect and defend. They are quick to point out that there is no looting. No looting? Don forget the deamnds. These “protesters” are demanding the federal government give them federal land–how’s that for looting?
Stay tuned.
Susan X Jane 