1/ If you need proof that racism harms white folk too, just consider the trajectory of COVID deaths and what it tells us...
2/ In April of 2020 when whites had only been 30% of C19 deaths, and headlines announced disproportionate Black death rates, the administration and the right demanded opening everything back up, ending lockdowns, etc...
3/ Coincidence? Of course not. If the data had shown disproportionate white death (or wealthy death, or younger folks dying or healthier folks), no way are people clamoring for "getting back to normal" or showing up at rallies with guns and camo, screaming about 'tyranny...'
4/ But racism, classism, ageism and ableism combined to basically shrug off the deaths of those being most affected. Likewise, it was seen as a "blue state/big city" problem (read, also POC and liberal white people), so screw em, basically...
5/ Now, fast forward to late summer, after months of backlash to social distancing and lockdowns, led by right wing white folks. In August, 45% of deaths are white. By September it's 54%. October, 59%...
6/ By now, it's hanging around 55% each month. So all that nonchalance, which is directly related to the indifference to those who were being so visibly hit early on, led to the kind of asinine carelessness that has now claimed hundreds of thousands of white lives too...
7/ This is why folks insist we say Black Lives Matter...because when they do, all lives really will. Until then, it's a crap shoot. That psychological wage of whiteness might feel good. But I sorta doubt they'll let ya pay the hospital bill, or for grandma's funeral, with it.
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