Since the spark of Charlottesville, nearly every day there were stories of how much hate exists in the United States. Civil discussions that allow the debate of public discourse can only be good for us all.
Let me take a stab at establishing proportions. According to the BBC, there are 5000 members of the KKK in our country. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that since 9/11 there have been 337 marches a year. The FBI estimates that there are between 6000 and 23000 white supremacists in the country.
For the purpose of this post, we will assume there are ten times the highest FBI estimate to include sympathisers totaling 230,000 people. An enormous exaggeration.
Dividing that inflated number by the population of the United States, as determined by Worldometers, to be 326,820,000 yields the percentage of white supremacists at .07% of the population. They are insignificant with expanded assumptions. Why all the attention?
As odious as their message, it still does not deny them their free speech. Actually, let them speak more. Their horrific ideas wither in the light of day. Let them talk, talk, and talk some more. Their speech will trend to a minuscule percentage of the population..
The media, however, raises the profile by covering these creeps 24/7. They vastly exaggerate them and their message. The media finds good ratings in proposing that we are a country riddled with hate toward one another.
No we are not.
The hate machines are in full force. Hollywood actors cannot speak out against political correctness lest they be denied casting. Valerie flame (former CIA agent) is on fundsharing attempting to raise enough money to buy such a significant percent of Twitter so she can shut down Trumps account. Guest speakers to universities are denied access because there may be too dangerous protests to control violence.
Here is the best. An ESPN commentator was slated to cover an opening day football game in Virginia. ESPN moved him to a game with a lower profile. His name is Robert Lee. He is an Asian American. But apparently his name may trigger some members of the population. This should be a practical joke but it is true.
Still the media and the “Hate Machine” want other purifications. Business leaders on Trumps council resign because they want to accommodate, and not alienate, their customers by having an opinion. There is no upside for these business leaders by failing to be completely outraged, and showing their displeasure to inadequate condemnations required.
The machine grinds on. We are racists if we do not feel guilt. We need to feel a special brand of guilt. One legislature in Illinois wants white folks to give up their homes to victims of systemic racism.
The white supremacists hold horrible views. Their numbers are so insignificant. They should be protested against.
They are also ridiculous in trying to legitimize their ideas. The media should not give them more import than those puny number of Americans deserve.