It happens again, and again, and again. Someone commits a heinous act, the world ignites with a fury, but at the end of the day, all that is left is silence. Today we add two more individuals to an unrelenting list of people who disseminate hate. Today we add Teresa Klein and Robert Bowers to a list that illustrates the worst of humanity.
Ms. Teresa Klein falsely accused 9-year-old Jeremiah Harvey of sexual assault. She called the police on the child, accusing him of inappropriately groping her rear; however, it wasn’t until she was shown footage recorded of the scene that she finally realized the damage she had caused. A white woman accusing a black boy of assault. She later issued a half-hearted apology to Jeremiah Harvey, the victim of this implicit act of racism, stating, “Young Man, I don’t know your name, but I’m sorry.” Despite this, she quickly pivoted, recanting her apology in favor of criticizing Jeremiah’s mother for being, “overly aggressive.” It seemed that even though her accusation was wrong, Ms. Klein still felt the need to criticize Jeremiah and his mother.
Robert Bowers is the prime suspect in the recent Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Upon his capture, he was quoted by police as saying, “All Jews should die.” And, “They [Jews] were committing genocide on his people.” Eleven people were massacred that day. Eleven lives were consumed by Mr. Bower’s vengeance. Eleven lives were lost because Mr. Bowers believed himself a vigilante— after all, the Jews were committing genocide on his people. He was apprehended after encountering a law enforcement officer and engaging in a gun-fight during which shots were fired by both the officer and Mr. Bowers. He is currently awaiting trial, facing 44 counts of murder, hate crimes, and a multitude of other offenses subsumed into to the prosecutor’s request for the death penalty.
It’s a theme. It seems that America always falls prey to another act of domestic terrorism or domestic hate. It seems that time in and time out, we’re forced to face violent people who make violent choices in the name of bigotry. Yet, what makes these hate crimes so unbearable isn’t the fact that people like Teresa Klein infect the world with racism every day or that people like Bowers play the role of executioner— shooting up a synagogue full of innocent people. What makes these hate crimes so unbearable is the fact that we’re numb to it.
These deeds of hate occur. They spread like a virulent disease. The repercussions are felt in the visceral bodies of the people. But eventually, over time, these repercussions die and someone else commits another act of hate. Where’s the change? Guns are still accessible to people who desire to kill. Racism is still a toxic concept that births real, tangible, unimaginable pain.
There was a time— a time not too long ago— when the art of journalism was revered. There was a time when muckrakers and journalists alike were feared by the corrupt powers. But now, although we have proof, although we have evidence, although we have audio recordings of our president spreading racist, misogynistic and bigoted messages to the underrepresented peoples of this country, we still don’t know who to believe. The truth has been twisted and manipulated to the point where no one knows what to believe.
We are challenged with a passive youth, many of whom are simply apathetic to the prospect of voting. But, perhaps, the reason the youth aren’t voting isn’t due to a phenomenon of national negligence; rather, it’s due to this phenomenon of utter numbness manifested in a lack of concern for the political climate. Do we truly comprehend the power of our voices? It seems that in this country, people can commit the ugliest of crimes, but if they’re connected… if they’re rich… it doesn’t matter what the youth vocalize because at the end of they day, the perpetrator is still in power and the youth is left feeling stuck and left feeling as if their voices are insignificant.
As Americans, we must rise above those whose actions echo the screams of the past. It’s our job to create a better future. Each of us has a voice. Yes, today, it may seem small and insignificant but tomorrow is yet to come. Your voice can make all the difference in the shaping of it. We have the power to stop history from repeating itself. We have the power to stop the continuation and perpetuation of hate. We have a voice to end this. Use your voice. Don’t be passive. Don’t allow hate to amass more bodies through its continued power.
Express your voice. Be heard. Vote. •
Photo courtesy of Kayla Velasquez/Unsplash. This photo was taken at the LAX protest against Trump’s muslim ban.
