A stark picture is emerging of a country in turmoil, with the US government increasingly turning on its own citizens. The killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis has sent shockwaves through America, but it's just one symptom of a far broader problem.
White Americans are being brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights - from recording ICE agents to simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Trump administration has labeled these Americans "domestic terrorists," claiming they pose existential threats to heavily armed federal agents, despite clear video evidence to the contrary. This toxic rhetoric is only fuelling the chaos.
As a result, entire neighborhoods and communities are under siege. Immigrants are hiding in fear, afraid to leave their homes or go outside. At least eight people have died from their encounters with ICE. The cognitive dissonance is dizzying - it's as if some white Americans have lost touch with reality, convinced that the government should be using its power to harm rather than protect them.
The tragedy of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is a stark reminder of the need for collective action. While many white Americans are outraged by these incidents, others seem oblivious to their own country's history - including genocide, land theft, slavery, and systemic racism that has haunted America since its founding.
Historian Robin D.G. Kelley explains why the killings of middle-class white people like Good and Pretti have provoked such widespread outrage among white Americans: because they are being killed by an agent of the state who is supposed to protect them. This highlights a profound hypocrisy - many white Americans do not want to see their fellow citizens treated with brutality and disregard, but they seem willing to accept it when it happens to non-white communities.
The struggle for America's multiracial democracy needs everyday white people of conscience who are prepared to make good trouble. We need them to take up the mantle of solidarity, to lean into justice, and to recognize that our struggles are not separate, but interconnected.
As we look at this moment in history, it's clear that the US has never been a country of equal opportunity for all its citizens - only for some. And now, with Trump's authoritarian grip tightening, Americans on both sides of the color line will be forced to confront their own humanity and decide what type of white person they want to be.
White Americans are being brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights - from recording ICE agents to simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Trump administration has labeled these Americans "domestic terrorists," claiming they pose existential threats to heavily armed federal agents, despite clear video evidence to the contrary. This toxic rhetoric is only fuelling the chaos.
As a result, entire neighborhoods and communities are under siege. Immigrants are hiding in fear, afraid to leave their homes or go outside. At least eight people have died from their encounters with ICE. The cognitive dissonance is dizzying - it's as if some white Americans have lost touch with reality, convinced that the government should be using its power to harm rather than protect them.
The tragedy of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is a stark reminder of the need for collective action. While many white Americans are outraged by these incidents, others seem oblivious to their own country's history - including genocide, land theft, slavery, and systemic racism that has haunted America since its founding.
Historian Robin D.G. Kelley explains why the killings of middle-class white people like Good and Pretti have provoked such widespread outrage among white Americans: because they are being killed by an agent of the state who is supposed to protect them. This highlights a profound hypocrisy - many white Americans do not want to see their fellow citizens treated with brutality and disregard, but they seem willing to accept it when it happens to non-white communities.
The struggle for America's multiracial democracy needs everyday white people of conscience who are prepared to make good trouble. We need them to take up the mantle of solidarity, to lean into justice, and to recognize that our struggles are not separate, but interconnected.
As we look at this moment in history, it's clear that the US has never been a country of equal opportunity for all its citizens - only for some. And now, with Trump's authoritarian grip tightening, Americans on both sides of the color line will be forced to confront their own humanity and decide what type of white person they want to be.
... like what's going on in America right now? It seems like they're turning on each other, you know? And it's not just about the killings, it's about how they're labeling people as "domestic terrorists" for exercising their rights. Like, come on? 
This is some crazy stuff. I remember when Trump was running for president and people were all worried about him being a threat to democracy... now it seems like he's doing a pretty good job of that himself 
And what about the immigrants who are hiding in fear? That's some messed up stuff right there. I wish someone would just explain to me why this is happening and what can be done to stop it 
. These people calling out ICE agents are not terrorists, they're just trying to hold power accountable 
. And for what? So the government can keep doing whatever it wants without being held to account 
. It's like, if you're gonna send someone in to kill me, at least give 'em a reason 
. Like, come on, guys! The Native American genocide wasn't that long ago 
. You can't just erase the past and expect everything to be okay 
.
. There are plenty of white Americans who are ready to take up the mantle of solidarity 
. Now we just gotta figure out how to get everyone on the same page 
.
I mean, come on, guys! Wake up!
It's like, hello, isn't that what we're fighting for - freedom and equality?
... The way ICE agents are just targeting innocent people for no reason at all? It's crazy! You'd think that with all the advancements we've made, we should've learned to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or skin color.
. And don't even get me started on these "domestic terrorists" 
. It's all just a bunch of code words for people who are trying to live their lives without being hassled by ICE or the police.
. And we need to make some good trouble 
. I'm talking about taking up the mantle of justice and standing up for what's right, even if it's hard or uncomfortable.
.
. We just need to keep pushing forward, speaking out, and supporting each other 
.
this is so disheartening - it feels like we're seeing a repeat of our country's worst moments all over again 
it's not about being a 'good troublemaker' or taking up some noble cause, it's just about recognizing the inherent value in every human life and demanding better from those in power 
We need some kinda collective action, like Robin D.G. Kelley said, 'cause this ain't just about white ppl; it's about all us strugglin' against systemic injustices 
.
[GIF of a police car driving into a roadblock]
[Meme of a person trying to record a video while being attacked by a bear, but the bear is actually just a federal agent]
[GIF of a family hiding in fear while ICE agents knock on their door]
[Image of a woman standing in front of a crowd, arms raised in solidarity]
[Meme of a person reading a book with the words "I'm not a domestic terrorist" written on it]
[GIF of confetti exploding in the background while people from different backgrounds come together]
. And yeah, I can see why Renee and Alex's deaths are causing such outrage - it's like they were victims of systemic racism, even if they didn't fit the traditional definition.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the US government's hypocrisy towards its own citizens. It's like they're playing a double standard game, where they claim to protect Americans but actually harm them. The fact that these incidents are being labeled as "domestic terrorism" is just ridiculous, and it's fueling even more chaos. 
... we need change, we need justice for everyone 
...
. I feel so sorry for the families who lost loved ones. We need to take a stand against this systemic racism and authoritarianism ASAP!