Read on Twitter
I forgot who Tweeted this morning about AT THE HANDS OF PERSONS UNKNOWN. This is a phrase used to describe lynching a of Black folks.
Thread. 1/
Thread. 1/
AT THE HANDS OF PERSONS UNKNOWN: THE LYNCHING OF BLACK AMERICA is also a history book by Phillip Dray. It’s excellent & it discusses how media was used to coordinate white mob violence. 2/
The social media coordination that led to yesterday’s lawless insurrection at the Capitol is a direct descendant of when white-owned newspapers would announce that there would be lynchings of Black people (usually men but sometimes Black women and children,too.) 3/
The white lynch mobs would be made up of mostly working-class white men— and to a less extent, write women & children—but middle- and upper-middle class whites used these mobs for the social control of Blacks. Thus, the editors/owners of newspapers coordinating violence. 4/
That is why yesterday was so triggering for her, as a student of history. With the help of social media—the “new” newspaper— upper class/wealthy members of Congress used this huge, lawless mob yesterday to effect control of the government. 5/
And know what I know about history—and having seen video footage of how Capitol police allowed this lawless mob to threaten the lives of Democratic & so-called “disloyal” Republican Congresspeople—I have a hard time believing what happened was not coordinated 6/
With the full knowledge of MANY political officials, including but not limited to the President, Capitol policemen, Congresspeople, and White House officials. 7/
I know that most of the incoming Biden administration wants to “turn the page” but I’m afraid it’s too late for that. People need to go to jail. Not just members of the lawless mob, but those who enabled—and yes coordinated with—this mob. There must be consequences. 8/
FIN.
FIN.
