You should be disgusted by the recent verdict in Kenosha, though you are probably not surprised. The judge was showing such extreme favoritism to the defendant that the writing was on the wall. While one can certainly hope that the judge is censured and removed, that would not allow a retrial. It is injustice, and it sucks.
It is all right to take a moment to stop and grieve and be appalled at the ubiquity of the racism in this country, deeply entwined with our history and institutions.
Take that moment, and then move forward. I am going to make four points.
First: Know that there are people who do not get it. One of the strangest things to see was a great deal of attention paid to a different acquittal, that of Andrew Coffee IV.
Coffee's home was raided by a deputies there to arrest another person. They made that arrest, but continued rampaging through the home at 5 AM. Coffee fired, believing it was self-defense. In fact, he was in danger, as his girlfriend Alteria Woods was killed in the crossfire.
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/97945012596391800/5550631860585338871
There are undeniable similarities to Breonna Taylor, including the boyfriend being arrested, and charged with multiple charges, including his girlfriend's death.
Defenders of Rittenhouse are using this as an example of "See! Not racism! Bet the news won't tell you that!"
Well, the media has a lot of failures, but two of the charges Rittenhouse and Coffee had in common were illegal possession of a weapon. That charge was dropped for Rittenhouse, whereas Coffee may get 30 years for it, which the "See!" folks are neglecting to mention, probably because it does seem pretty racist.
Second: Know the importance of voting, in all elections and for all offices. Judge Bruce Schroeder ran unopposed in 2020 for a 6 year term. It is so easy to just check the incumbents, not worry about learning anything about the candidates, and then go on your emotions for president.
It all matters, from school boards and county commissioners to mayors and state senators and yes, district attorneys and judges. You don't have to figure it all out on your own, but please find something that works.
Third: Read And the Walls Came Tumbling Down: An Autobiography by Ralph Abernathy.
People have protested and windows have been broken. If that relieves some anger, I can sympathize, but I would rather harness that anger to make change.
Abernathy does a good job of explaining how some of the more effective campaigns worked, coordinating concrete demands with financial and media pressure on people who could make the change happen. There is information on the less successful campaigns too.
I know it often seems hopeless that there can be any good changes, but I maintain hope. This book could help you think and plan more effectively. However...
Fourth: Don't rush on to a field that is new to you and try and take over. There are existing organizations and organizers who know more than you do. Maybe your fresh perspective will be valuable, but their knowledge and experience should not be ignored.
For Portland people, here are some organizations to consider.
Don't Shoot Portland: https://www.dontshootpdx.org/
The relationship between institutional racism and capitalism is deep, so I like that they have some panels set up as an alternative to Black Friday shopping, and that it is being combined with service and relief. It does all go together.
Albina Ministerial Alliance: https://www.albinaministerialcoalition.org/
They have been working on police violence for a long time. No, Rittenhouse was not law enforcement, and his victims were not Black. The tradition of extrajudicial killing of people of color by police was still a huge part of his actions and the treatment he received.
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ): https://www.facebook.com/ShowingUpPDX
Conversely, SURJ is relatively new, coming in with a lot of energy, and they do have a local chapter.
In my experience they have skewed progressive, sometimes aggressively, but for many Portlanders that is right up their alley.
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