As most of the world knows, a full-scale KKK and white supremacy riot began at the University of Virginia on Friday night and most of Saturday. Self-proclaimed Nazis and Klan members clashed with left-wing activist groups such as Antifa and UVA students, while the KKK shouted sentiments about Jews and "being replaced" by minorities. Many politicians have spoken out against said riot from all sides, as they should. Even President Donald Trump tweeted about it, as a president should. His Twitter is full of condolences for those affected by the riot, and his press conference addressed the hatred spewing.
But this isn't enough. Why? Because he never once used the words Nazi or white supremacist. In fact, he made a point to make it about "all sides," when in reality, this is about the KKK. This is about Nazis. This is about white nationalists and supremacists. These are the ones who marched on the UVA campus. These are the ones wielding (tiki?) torches. These are the ones calling for violence. These are the ones running cars into counter-protesters and killing and severely injuring them. Why is he having such a difficult time addressing these groups head-on then?
Violence comes from many sides, yes. He isn't wrong. But in this specific case, it wasn't what should have been said. He is quick to blame ISIS when one of their militants commits a crime (as he should). Why can't he openly and publicly condemn these white supremacists specifically when they do? It's not enough to simply talk about the violence in general. Perhaps it is because he doesn't want to alienate a large portion of his voter base; former KKK leader David Duke, present at the rally, explained to journalists that the riot began as a result of Trump's promises (which is a bit telling of his values).
Nearly 40% of Trump supporters with a Twitter follow white supremacist Twitter accounts. Several weeks following his election, Trump supporters shouted "Heil Trump" at a Richard Spencer speech, reminiscent of 1940s Germany's "Heil Hitler." His supporters have literally taken Hitler's infamous "Lügenpresse" into their vocabulary (meaning "lying press", or fake news).
I won't be naïve enough to paint with a broad stroke and say that all Trump supporters are Nazis. I don't believe that. But it is certainly possible Trump is hesitant to explicitly condemn the actions of Nazis and white supremacists because of their presence in his voter base. They helped to elect him; some would go so far as to say he owes them his presidency. But this is not an excuse.
President Trump, I urge you to acknowledge the bringers of violence in this situation: the KKK, the Nazis, white supremacists, the Alt-Right--whatever name they want to go by, use it. They are proud to scream it. You should be proud to condemn it. They are not what America should be, but they are what America currently is. Take a step in the right direction and let them know their hate and backwards ideals are not welcome here. America is waiting.
