That’s not a revelation. No one should read that headline and think “You know, I never thought of that.” They should think: “Damn right they are!”
That’s how obvious it is.
This is not virgin territory. Not even remotely. Plenty of ink — electronic or otherwise — has been spent on the subject.
Consider that policing in America began as “slave patrols”. Armed men rounding up runaways. Slaves — even ex-slaves — were prohibited from owning guns. “Slave Codes” they were called — then “Black Codes” after Emancipation. Only the name changed.
Gun control existed — in the sense that the gun laws controlled black people getting them. Brown people too. In fact, anyone who wasn’t white was the law’s target.
We just need to remind ourselves of the fact now — as we watch armed white militias enter statehouses — intent on intimidating lawmakers not with their ideas or passion but with their WEAPONS.

We need to remind ourselves how racist our gun laws are as we watch white supremacists confront peaceful protesters.

We need to remind ourselves as white looters attempt to co-opt legitimate rage.

We need to remind ourselves as white cops — and white guys in general — use their guns to hunt people of color.


It’s not a coincidence that the same people who are most vociferous about clutching their guns to the bitter end are the same people who harass black and brown people in public spaces. Their lizard brains are on fire. They adore Donald Trump because his racism is their racism.
Where Jim Jones used kool-aid, Donald Trump uses violence. Each drop of bitter drink is replaced by a bullet.