I’m in DC for work and I caught the tail end of a morning
news segment about the man behind that YouTube video featuring some über angry
dude loading a shotgun. Tis illegal to
do in DC, so there’s been a lot of coverage. Plus, the dude was in full rage face
and that made the video both compelling and scary as hell.
The rage face dude is promising an armed and loaded march on
Washington…oh, and he’s also preparing for the next American Revolution.
Blink.
As I listened to Rage Face go on and on, while standing in
the same spot he filmed the video, I couldn’t help but be struck by the
privilege oozing from the situation.
The fact that he was able to do what he did…right out there
in the open in the middle of some random afternoon…wasn’t shocking.
Nope, that’s life.
Rage Face wasn’t even aware of his privilege…hell, he was
probably pissed that he wasn’t getting arrested or charged up or even noticed
by anyone other than the news crew filming his triumphant return to the scene
of the crime.
And that’s life too.
So, I’ve been sitting here waiting for folks to show up for
the morning session of the conference I’m attending…sitting and thinking about
the privilege of anger.
My mind keeps returning to the trial of George Zimmerman for
the murder of Trayvon Martin and the recent testimony of that young man’s
father.
Returning to how both of the victim’s parents are visibly
holding back so much emotion.
To how Trayvon’s father is so clearly in mourning…his face a
mask of sorrow that makes my heart break.
And I can’t help but wish they had the same right to a face
of rage that millions of other Americans have.
I wish they could shout and scream and let it all out...over
and over and over, even though it won’t make it better.
Rage won’t bring Trayvon back.
And no amount of rage face will guarantee justice.
I guess that’s why the parent’s of murdered children all
have that look in their eye that suggests a level of anger too volatile to set
free.
Because they know…they’ve learned the hard way…that justice
is the lie the system pitches because the truth of loss is just too much the
take.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Which brings me back to Rage Face with that shotgun…and his
outrage over the very thought of someone taking his gun…and the thousands upon
thousands of folks who think he did a great thing because they share his
outrage.
His outrage that someone may take his gun.
May take someone’s son.
Could take his gun.
Could take someone’s son.
Are thinking about taking his gun.
Are thinking about taking someone’s son.
In a country where some can load a shotgun two blocks from
the Capitol without comment while others get shot for the crime of walking home
after buying snacks.
