Hey-Hey; Ho-Ho:
White Supremacy Has Got To GO!
White Supremacy Has Got To GO!
Preface
In January 2017 I went to the "Women’s March on Washington" to get some comfort after the election. After the physical violence in Charlottesville and the leadership violence that followed, I needed relief yet again and that came from the "Philly is Charlottesville March & Rally" on August 16, 2017 in Philadelphia. Not only was this very healing, but it gave hope that the majority of our country will not allow hate to flourish.
Introduction
The "Women’s March on Washington" was an amazing event which I found intoxicating because I was in a sea of like-minded people. As I said in the photo essay (click MORE or go to www.tgoldmanphotography.com/womens-march-on-washington.html) the story-within-the-story was the Bikers For Tump rally held on the outskirts of the march. I went to it though my better judgement said it might be dangerous- and it might have been.
It looked like things were going to get heated between the marchers and Bikers.
But a Biker took to the stage: “Peaceful- that's what we want!!”
A marcher and a Biker stood shoulder to shoulder, both happy to be in the same photo.
On that day at that moment, the Bikers and marchers came together in very close proximity. What could have happened on that day in Washington did not happen and it gave me hope there could be positive discourse between people with such divergent views.
But just seven months later, Charlottesville painted a very different picture, one in which there are two sides separated by a razor sharp divide: Those who believe that everyone should have an equal share in life and those who think that privilege belongs to a few. Violence took preference over discourse in Charlottesville.
The "Philly is Charlottesville March & Rally" was wonderful. The crowd of thousands was very diverse and while forceful in their beliefs, everyone was totally peaceful- there were no extremists in the mix. Like the "Women’s March on Washington", it was intoxicating because everyone was on the same side of that divide. But we all know that is not the reality.
This photo essay is presented with few words since images of the people tell the story. As you view the images, sing these chants- the music of the march:
Hey-Hey; Ho-Ho:
White Supremacy Has Got To GO!
No KKK:
No Fascist USA!
Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like:
This Is What Democracy Looks Like!
What Do We Want? Freedom!
When Do We Want It? NOW!
What Do We Want? Racial Justice!
When Do We Want It? NOW!
and
Hey-Hey; Ho-Ho:
Donald Trump Has Got To GO!
*****
People and Their Signs
The flip side: “White Supremacy Is Terrorism”
The flip side: “White Supremacy Is Terrorism”
Speakers
Leading the march down Broad Street was a truck carrying a group of speakers who spoke about Charlottesville and the connection to Philadelphia.
Passing in front of the setting sun made for a beautiful silhouette.
F-Bomb
The only visible weapon was the notorious F-Bomb. While it may offend some, no blood was shed.
Dump Trump
Church
The march ended in a place that is often a focal point for social justice in Philadelphia: The Arch Street United Methodist Church. It’s leader, Reverend Robin Hynicka, told the crowd that this church is one of 60+ faith based organizations in the Philadelphia area committed to social justice. He spoke to the promise of overcoming white supremacy: “The original sin of the United States of America… Hey-Hey; Ho-Ho; White Supremacy Has Got To GO!”
This crowd didn't have to be convinced.
The program began with Shawn Zevit, Lead Rabbi of Mishkan Shalom, singing: “This Little Light of Mine.”
People sang and clapped.
Rabbi Mordechai E. Liebling, who had been in Charlottesville, said in no uncertain terms that this diverse crowd, “every one of you”, would be killed by these extremists- “I have never seen such vicious hatred.” He blamed economic inequality for fueling white supremacy.
March organizer POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower & Rebuild) displayed their banner.
While the march was a way to show solidarity with Charlottesville and to denounce extremism of all types, representatives of POWER made it clear there is more to it than marching and holding up signs.
Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler: “White supremacy is not about statues and flags; it’s not just about self proclaimed neo-Nazis… It’s also about children who go to schools that are underfunded compared to schools in other areas; it’s about a police officer who can shoot someone in the back and get away with it; it’s about people who clean toilets on airplanes that carry millionaire CEOs, who are told they have to live on poverty wages because there isn't enough to go around… Yes, weep for Charlottesville and for Heather Heyer, but also unmask what’s happing in this city.”
Reverend Greg Holston, Executive Director of POWER: ”It’s time to strike a blow against white supremacy in Philadelphia”…White Supremacy: White people have the preferred position in everything in society because of the color of their skin; White Nationalism: Not only do they deserve preference but exclusive preference over people of color”…. POWER’s challenge to leaders in Philadelphia is to keep their promises to dismantle white supremacy in the city.
POWER has three goals: 1. Equality of funding for education in districts with higher proportions of people of color; 2. Equality in the criminal justice system and in policing; 3. A 21st century living wage of $15/hr. Politicians have made promises on all of these goals but nothing has happened. Contact information was given for politicians and everyone attending was urged to send emails and tweets- “Your phone is your weapon for dismantling white supremacy!”
Surely the most moving moment of the event: Javier Flores García, an undocumented Mexican immigrant and father of three who found asylum at the Arch Street United Methodist church, took the podium. As he spoke through an interpreter, he seemed to look to the heavens for strength as he pinched himself to make sure this was real- “I have been in sanctuary for ten months as a prisoner; I’m here because of a racist system founded on white supremacy.” As always, Pastor Robin has his back!
Javier brought the congregation to their feet.
Final Thoughts
There were so many great signs and so many great things said, but these young people captured the true meaning of the march and rally. The flag is for all Americans and immigrants/refugees who are here for a better life regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation. Everyone deserves access to all the opportunities that the United States of America has to offer: “This is our country too and we’re not going away!”
End
Published August 21, 2017