With the aftermath of the recent presidential elections, it was made evidently clear that the state of this country is far worse than most Americans would like to admit. Specifically, the insurrection of the Capitol building that took place at the beginning of this year.
With the progression of women’s rights being highlighted more throughout recent years, it was alarming to see how many women participated and encouraged one of the country’s worst attacks in history.
Not only were there women playing the stereotypical role of cheering from the sidelines but there were women at the forefront of this attack, helping to carry out the ideologies of hatred and supremacy that set this country back in time at least 60 years. 2020 exit poll data showed that at least 40-50 percent of white women still supported Donald Trump even though he incited acts of terror amid the election result scandal.
An article from 19thnews.org written by Ko Bragg, shed light on the women that were a part of the attack at the Capitol. White women were at the forefront of the attack, leading with hateful and dangerous intent.
“We broke into the Capitol…we got inside, we did our part,” Dawn Bancroft said.
Though the face of white supremacy is stereotypically represented by a white male, there has been an increase in women involved in racially targeted attacks and profiling. Out of the 230 09i
cases being investigated from the insurrection, 28 of those are women. Out of the 28 women arrested, only fiveof those women are awaiting trial behind bars.
With a lack of accountability for many white offenders in the judicial system in cases like these, it encourages repeated behavior for some and similar acts from others who lack the fear of consequence; especially women. With women being the most active organizers of protests and movements in this country, this is all the more reason for white women who don’t hold the same values or views as those inciting fear and hatred, to become allies of change and equality.
Senior, Bailey Hall, believes that intentionality needs to be the cause behind people’s support.
“For white women who do feel compelled to help fight injustice, we need to do more than just join movements and associations,” Hall said. “It’s now a lifestyle choice that you should make every single day to stand for equality across all playing fields.”
It is important for those who don’t agree with the behaviors of those displaying acts of hatred, to not become complicit in being silent on these matters. With the tolerance of violence, especially encouraged by the former president of the United States, it may leave some hopeless in the fight for change.
Recognizing the issues is only the first step. Rising to action and standing with those who are being treated unfairly is just a few ways that white women can make sure that they are marked on the “right” side of history.