Last month, a capoeira comrade invited me to a “No Kings” protest. While I appreciated the invitation, I declined and instead spent time with my parents during their short visit to a nearby town. I settled for honking the horn to encourage a group of protestors marching down the street.
While I’m aware that presence offers the best present to help others engaged in the struggle, I am hopeful this post and subsequent writings add to the protestors’ calls for social justice, solidarity, and stability.
Here’s the reality, stated countless times before with various words.
The United States formed its foundation on the backs of enslaved Africans and a plan to rid itself of a British king. Slavery enabled America to become an economic and military superpower. By engaging in colonialism and waging war against England, the colonies developed into a country.
In 1776, Jefferson and his co-writers wrote the Declaration of Independence. It declared, “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”
Resistance is embedded in the soil of the land stolen from Indigenous people. Africans and people of the Americas have always fought against unjust rulers. They’ve challenged individuals and systems, both covertly and overtly.
Democracy, in theory, listens to and works with the people. It is different from a monarchy.
When kings rule, they dominate and dictate with little input from others. That approach rarely works in homes, schools, businesses, non-profit entities, and governments. Although the administration targets progressive educational institutions, diverse people continue to learn.
In unique environments, it’s possible to find joy. The title “King” is used to acknowledge like-minded people.
“Peace King” is a greeting to signify respect, affinity, and a connection to royalty. These special spaces do not use the term ‘king’ to refer to men who engage in dehumanizing behavior.
The protestors do not use King as a compliment or to communicate disdain for America. It communicates their desire for freedom from the reign of disastrous decisions that have led to an anti-diversity, anti-black, anti-immigration, and anti-universal healthcare agenda. The people want relief from the conditions that led to the government shutdown.
Love lies at the center of heart work for equity. Last weekend, some walked with flags in hand to demonstrate their love for the United States.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called recent protests “Hate America Rallies.” Others echoed his comments and said, “No Kings protestors hate America.” This rhetoric produces questions.
Did participants in the civil rights movement hate America, or did they seek justice, liberation, and equitable access to resources? If hate drove the movement, why did Martin Luther KING Jr. and others preach love?
In the past and today, protests evolve from deep desires for change. The dictatorial king mentality must go. It fuels animosity and drives divisions.
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This post was previously published on Vernon C. Lindsay, PhD.
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