Thread by @MsEntropy

3/5. Not 3/4.

Even in General Milley’s impassioned remarks on white rage and the need for Critical Race Theory, you can see…

… why we need CRT.

If you’re tempted to praise Milley’s comments on white rage, consider this:

- he equates Critical Race Theory to Mao — i.e., “studying the enemy”
- he bristles at “woke” as if it’s an accusation
- centers military cohesion as the reason we need CRT — not basic morality

The biggest problem with General Milley’s comments on white rage is the equivalence he draws between Critical Race Theory and communist theorists:

“I’ve read Mao, Karl Marx, Lenin. That doesn’t make me a communist.”

Let’s unpack this, because ohhhhhhh does it matter.

1. Milley cites Mao, Marx, and Lenin as necessary reading in academic settings “to be well read.”

What does this imply?

A preemptive, inherent disagreement with the theoretical concept, given the parallels he draws with “enemy” ideologies.

2. In ostensibly championing Critical Race Theory, Milley actually dismisses it with the communist theorists he cites, and in turn, disavows communism.

This invokes a relationship between Black freedom struggles and… communism.

If you know your civil rights history….YIKES.

3. Milley’s communist theories-Critical Race Theory analogy replicates the EXACT same argument used by white supremacists in the Civil Rights Era.

In Cold War-era logic:

Soviet Communists (at the behest of the Jews) manipulated ‘stupid Blacks’ to destroy white domination.

4. The rhetoric of “cultural Marxism” used in the GOP today was, in fact, a creation of white supremacist (i don’t use that term loosely) ideologues.

Neo Nazis today (and their more “respectable” brethren) invoke the same communist conspiracy lens to discredit BLM.

YIKES.

The (one) irony here:

If General Milley saw CRT as useful beyond the academic realm (or studied it), he’d recognize Civil Rights era problems that remain today.

Even these “supportive” remarks on Critical Race Theory and white rage prove why CRT is desperately needed.

I’ll try to bang out a blog post on this soon, because there’s a LOT more to say about the implications of Milley’s remarks.

Sure, it’s better than outright opposition or CRT. However:

His comments reveal so much about the foundational American problems with history and race.

A lot of you want to defend General Milley here, but listen:

Word choices have connotations beyond what you think (or wish) he “meant.”

I get that my critique makes you uncomfortable, but consider our political climate — and how ‘present’ today that history really is.

When it comes to Black liberation & equal rights, I reject “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good” approaches.

If you support Critical Race Theory — you should understand exactly why General Milley should be critiqued.

Reflect on the knee-jerk impulse to defend him.

And more critically: Milley’s Critical Race Theory blind spots reflect the need for constant self-examination as a white person.

Much of what upholds white supremacy are unexamined assumptions by the “not racist” mindset.

What we need is a mindset that is ANTI-racist.

I’m not saying “condemn General Milley.” What I am saying is: don’t *uncritically* praise his CRT comments.

His remarks are easily the best we’ve ever heard on race from the military. However, that says something crucial:

We need higher standards.

Last thing on critiques of General Milley & Critical Race Theory.

My best friend if Black. I'm not. I "mean well," and yet say dumb things -- like we ALL do. I love her even more for checking me.

Growth demands honesty and constructive criticism.

#ByeForNow

I’m adding this thread from a former white supremacist on Civil Rights and the charge of communism.

Please read:

It’s extremely relevant to what we covered above about General Milley, Critical Race Theory, and Black liberation.