After witnessing domestic terrorism take place in Washington DC, there was a stark difference seen between these riots and the Black Lives Matter protests that took place last summer. 

The death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer by kneeling on his neck, prompted hundreds of protests that began around May of last year. These protests were met with tear gas, police violence, and arrests. The Black Lives Matter protests were conducted as acts of peace simply calling out the systemic racism built in the foundation of our country and asking for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others who lost their lives due to police brutality.

In DC, the Save America March, publicized by President Trump and fellow Republicans, was intended to “save America” from the fraudulent election that elected Joe Biden as president. This web of lies, stirred up by the president and his many supporters, started a chain reaction leading up to the insurrection of the capital. Although not malintent, the constant denial of election results and lack of accepting defeat ultimately encouraged the protesters to take matters into their own hands.

What was planned to be “peaceful” resulted in complete disrespect of this country, our leaders, and the democratic values of our nation. Protesters marched into the capitol with intentions to “stop the steal” and prevent Congress from ratifying the election results. President Trump, the sole spark of this fire, sat back and watched as our nation was in flames. It was his words and behavior that led to this saddening event.

Looking back to the Black Lives Matter marches earlier this year, this protest was different.

The Black Lives Matter protesters were met with the National Guard and armed troops equipped with shields, tear gas, rubber bullets, and armor, dressed in camouflage filled the steps guarding the Lincoln Memorial preventing any protester from coming close to the monument. During the Save America March, protesters were able to fill the steps of the capitol building and even go inside.

In June, BLM protesters were constantly tear gassed and pushed back by officers on horseback, while the January protesters took selfies with officers. Trump supporters were even able to scale the sides of the Capitol Building and walk in the halls for hours where Black Lives Matters protesters were met with rubber bullets and arrests.

The disparities between these events is a direct example of white privilege. If the events at the capitol were caused by Black Lives Matter supporters, the results would be extremely different. White Trump supporters were able to march inside of the capitol without facing any extreme pushback from the present policemen and guards. Officers allowed them to cross a line that people of color would have never been able to go near.

At the time of the summer protests, critics claimed that although they condemn racism and the acts of police brutality against people of color, they would not stand for the looting that some protesters participated in. Those same critics stayed silent when Trump supporters looted and vandalized Nancy Pelosi’s office and the Senate Floor.

The Black Lives Matter movement was a movement designed to spotlight racial inequalities and racism rooted in this country and to promote systematic change so that people of color are no longer at a disadvantage compared to white people.

The Save America march spontaneously devolved into an insurrection designed to overthrow the democratic process and violently take back an election that they believed to be fraudulent and rigged. 

This country needs change. If there are still people who believe that the actions and consequences of those who participated in the January protests received were fair, they need a reality check. White privilege is real. Racism is still among us. Things must change.