Have you ever had to clean up a mess? Probably, especially if you’re a parent. But have you ever had to scrub adult waste off of a statue? No? Me neither. Yet, this is a task that fell to custodians, law enforcement, and staff at the Capitol, who once again were left to manage the fallout of a group of individuals who seemed to have lost all sense of respect for the space they claimed to love.
In June, shortly after George Floyd’s tragic death, the film “The Help” rose to popularity on Netflix. The story, featuring Emma Stone as a young writer in the 1960s, sheds light on the challenges faced by African American maids, portrayed by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. Viola Davis later emphasized that the film was not a true voice for Black maids but rather a reminder that white individuals have long relied on Black and Brown people for support and service. This point was starkly highlighted on January 6th.
During Barack Obama’s presidency, we were reminded that the White House is known as “The People’s House.” Michelle Obama famously noted in her 2016 DNC speech: “I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves.” The White House, constructed in 1792, relied heavily on slave labor, a fact often overlooked in discussions about American history.
Similarly, Capitol Hill, established a year later, was built by enslaved African Americans. This building, intended to uphold the rights of all Americans, ironically stands as a testament to the struggles faced by the descendants of those who helped construct it. For more than 400 years, these communities have shouldered the burdens created by ignorance and prejudice in America.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Black Americans were once again expected to educate their white counterparts about respect and humanity. On January 6th, we found ourselves literally cleaning up the mess made by those who showed utter disregard for the very America they claim to cherish. Reports noted the extensive damage inflicted during the violent Capitol siege, which left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.
The destruction left behind was not just physical but deeply symbolic. The mess smeared on the statues within Capitol Hill is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against white privilege, which continues to obstruct social and political progress in our society. These images serve as a reminder that it is often people of color who are tasked with rectifying the chaos created by others.
This incident is yet another example of how communities of color are continually forced to clean up the messes they did not create, further emphasizing the need for systemic change.
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Potential Search Queries:
- Why did the Capitol riot happen?
- What does the mess at the Capitol symbolize?
- How has history shaped modern America?
- What are the social implications of the January 6th events?
- How do communities of color contribute to society?
In summary, the events surrounding the Capitol riots reveal a troubling narrative about race, privilege, and responsibility in America. The physical remnants of that day serve as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities, who often bear the burden of a society that has historically overlooked their contributions and humanity.
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