EXISTENTIAL ANGST FROM WHITES REVEAL BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

The recent protests of black and whites activists in America ( over the deaths of Michael Brown / Eric Garner ) are causing concern among some members of the dominant population. If you read FaceBook posts or media reports it is clear existential angst in happening to some people. What is causing this uproar are methods or tactics used by activists of a younger generation to make dramatic social points; highway blockages, die-ins, occupation of malls, opera halls or movie theatres. The oppressed masses and allies seek to inculcate upon the thinking of America it is not alright to kill human beings whether black or white.

In my responses on FB or in private conversations an almost hysterical primal cry is coming form members of the dominant population about how recent tactics by activists are "counter productive, misdirected foolishness of the uneducated, leaderless meandering of disgruntled fools etc." One lady on FB tried to convince me how "blocking a freeway does nothing to educate." Many of these arguments have been raised before by whites but now I am noticing the hysterical replies to activists tactics. Then suddenly this epiphany occurred to me i.e. existential angst from whites reveal being uncomfortable. Now those activists tactics are causing people who traditionally enjoy certain benefits from being white to not only suffer from highway blockages, but being uncomfortable as they sit in sterile surroundings like an opera house. Also these younger protestors are black , white, Hispanic, straight and gay. Ergo, it cannot be said it is only blacks again bringing up images of slavery or the ghost of reparations for descendants of slaves.

Yet below the level of consciousness something else is happening to members of the dominant American society-- oppressed people and their allies are determined to highlight their points regardless of who is uncomfortable. And the fact that other whites have joined with the mixed rabble or natives in social protest is even more troubling to the hysterical Greek Chorus : Bob Dylan sang a song about "the times are a changing" but seems as if whites ( and old moderate Negro leadership ) cannot fathom this current movement is not built on foundations of old Civil Rights models of " love your enemy" and non violence.

And in the final analysis perhaps that is what is causing existential angst and this uncomfortable feeling from some whites.


story submitted by Ajamu