Following the completely unacceptable white supremacy rallies in Charlottesville that started with violent protests at the University of Virginia, many reactions of those in power were mixed. While our country’s leaders should be universally condemning the events as to say that they stray from the ideals of liberty and justice for all is an understatement, some called for action, some expressed an appropriate degree of grief, and some… didn’t even acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.

We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

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Eventually, the White House’s statement was changed to acknowledge that the attacks came from white supremacists. But initially, while President Trump acknowledged the hateful and violent nature of the attacks, he failed to acknowledge the fact that they were rooted in white supremacy. Which isn’t surprising, considering the immigration reforms he attempted to implement at the beginning of his term as President, and his rhetoric surrounding those of other races.

 

There is only one side. #charlottesville

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2017

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Former Vice President Joe Biden responded to President Trump’s initial press conference, in which he declared that there is hatred and bigotry on “many sides” of the situation. Just as in the tweet above, the press conference failed to acknowledge the white supremacist basis of the rallies. And he’s right.

 

No. Not in America. We must be stronger, more determined and more united than ever. Racism and hate have no place here. #charlottesville

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2017

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And earlier in the day, long before POTUS even made a statement, Uncle Joe called us to action, too.

 

While this incident is alarming, it is not surprising. Hate crimes and shows of hostility toward minorities have recently been surging.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 12, 2017

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Senator Bernie Sanders nailed it all. He called a spade a spade — in this case, the spade being the fact that this is an incident rooted in white supremacy. He then reminds us that what happened in Charlottesville has become a way of life, and hate crimes are a real, unfortunate fact.

 

“…For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

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POTUS 44 quotes one of the greats to express how unacceptable this event is — but also, expresses just how easy it is to love instead of hate. Love takes much less energy.

 

Someone was murdered at a Neo-Nazi rally today. That happened. In America. In 2017. It’s time to make clear where we stand – all of us.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) August 13, 2017

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Senator Elizabeth Warren also called a spade a spade, and good for her. She didn’t shy away from terminology that isn’t reality, didn’t sugar-coat with euphemisms, and called us all to action. We tend to shy away from words like “Neo-Nazi” because collectively, we operate under the belief that we conquered white supremacy following the ending of the Holocaust. In actuality, groups like the KKK continue to have a presence.

 

The poison spewed by Nazis, white supremacists, and the KKK is not who we are as a country. Takes less than 140 characters to say it.

— Sally Yates (@SallyQYates) August 13, 2017

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Sally Yates echoed Warren — and pointed out just how it easy it is not to beat around the bush.

 

“White supremacy” crap is worst kind of racism-it’s EVIL and perversion of God’s truth to ever think our Creator values some above others.

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 12, 2017

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Yes, Senator Mike Huckabee, yes. But not entirely sure where your call to action is.

 

The acts and rhetoric in #Charlottesville over past 24 hours are unacceptable & must stop. A right to speech is not a right to violence.

— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 12, 2017

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Virginia’s governor, Terry McAuliffe, asks us all to take action. There’s a difference between hate speech, violence, and free speech.

 

Millennials, where does this leave us? Those in power are telling us to take action, but we shouldn’t need their cue in order to do it. The message is clear — this needs to end, and should have ended a long time ago. What will you do today to change this culture?

 

 

Disclaimer: The political views presented in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Not Another Millennial Blog.