By Sarah Beebe / For The Herald
Symbols of white supremacy are very common throughout Snohomish County, and indeed throughout Washington state.
White men are often seen displaying the gesture for white supremacy or flying Confederate flags and other racist icons on their vehicles and houses. These symbols are intrinsically linked to white supremacy; they are representative of a rebellion that fought for their right to own black people, whose leaders were white supremacists, whose very economy was tied to slave ownership.
If you do not think Confederate images are tied to white supremacy, you have been taught a whitewashed version of history and I would urge you to study the meaning of hate, fear and oppression embodied by these symbols. I also ask you to consider this modern example of white supremacy.
On May 31, armed white citizens assembled in downtown Snohomish displaying Confederate flags and Proud Boy regalia. This assembly was a direct response to Black Lives Matter protests that have been occurring throughout the country. The armed assembly claimed it was to protect businesses from riots and looting; despite much of violent riots and looting being instigated by white people, including Proud Boys members in Spokane. They stood downtown fully armed because they claimed protesters really care more about destruction than they do about the value of black lives. This was not protection, this was a targeted warning to the black people who live in Snohomish.
One can only imagine how this gathering would look differently if black people were armed and occupying downtown. Law enforcement officers probably wouldn’t be giving fist bumps or mingling with the crowds, to say the least.
White supremacy has shown itself to be a common and terrible occurrence in Snohomish. It is by no means hidden, and it has real, significant effects on the community and the county. What is perhaps more terrible than actively participating in white supremacy is silence surrounding it. Silence in this situation is complacency. It shows white supremacists that they can act without consequence, and that their hateful message is tolerated by the community. We cannot allow this to be true. If you are a white person you need to be vocal in your condemnation, and you must not tolerate white supremacy in any form.
I am saddened by the event that took place in Snohomish this Sunday. I am saddened by the perpetuation of white supremacy throughout the county. White people, we must not allow white supremacy to go unchecked in our own neighborhood, and it is time for us all to say white supremacy has no place in Snohomish.
Write your local legislators, police departments and community leaders. Call your members of Congress. Educate yourselves on black issues and the history of racism and white supremacy in this country, and listen to the experiences of black people and other marginalized groups. But above all do not look away. This is bigger than you.
Sarah Beebe lives in Snohomish. She recently graduated with honors from Washington State University, majoring in zoology and minoring in Spanish.
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