Justifying righteous anger
One could argue the perception of Black people having a higher tolerance for pain in a 2016Â medical study, proves an absolute lack of empathy. Even something as simple as a doctor’s visit, never mind police brutality, poverty rates, and failing education systems. But this article isn’t about garnering your sympathy for the struggle of black people. Let’s expose how Netflix’s Tread doc showcases white righteous anger against the “system” and why it’s acceptable.
Marvin Heeymeyer reached a breaking point after he felt local leaders took advantage of him. For more details, read here. Heeymeyer would eventually take his own life after causing millions of dollars in damage by bulldozing business. Heeyemeyer, in his audio recordings, said that GOD told him in his righteous anger to do it.
The issue isn’t with Heeymeyer but preferably white America’s acceptance and selectiveness of righteous anger.
Mr. Heeymeyer wasn’t physically harmed; in danger, he wasn’t racially profiled or anything remotely close to what black people go through. So what lead him to do these unreasonable acts? At best, Mr. Heeymeyer, if taken the time, could relate and understand his issue was a zoning problem. That has created segregated communities, which leads to more alternative modes forms of oppression that we don’t have time to discuss here. While Mr. Heeymeyer was justified in his anger, one could argue his actions reeked of white privilege.Â
Mr. Heeymeyer, in his defense, did voice his complaints to his city hall numerous times. But then again, so do black people. There’s a Mr. and Mrs. Heeymeyer in every black community across America. Our ancestral lineage from the past and present has marched and protested and suffered physical and economic abuse.
If White righteous anger is justified in this case, why isn’t black righteous anger for 400 years of systematic racist oppression?.Â
Our 3 part series on the internal riot and the spiritual reasoning behind protests can be read here.
For the last several months, many white Americans couldn’t wait to call out looters and protesters. After all, they destroyed their communities! Just like Mr. Heeymeyer. Why aren’t viewers of the film saying he should have done the proper paperwork and talked to the right people?.Â
Heeymeyer considered himself a patriot of this country and called America gods country. He loved America just as much as any conservative republican. Yet his response to what he felt was injustice was no different and was worse than individual protesters.
Tread is currently the 8th most popular film on Netflix. Some reviews are calling his “actions” heroic, or referring to him as a folk hero or villain This wording Exposes the selective bias towards righteous racial anger.
After All, Heeymeyer felt God called him to do this, do we think the same, or are we reactionary? If Heeymeyer could bulldozer a town for his pursuit, what stops us from doing it for racism, which affects an entire ethnic group(S)? Maybe mentally were more enslaved than we think we are.Â
The “killdozer” didn’t live in poverty, had a lucrative business, and enjoyed snowboarding with friends and family. How many of us that are racially profiled can say the same? Perhaps we could learn to justify and get more in touch with our righteous anger regarding fighting the system.
In conclusion, in regards to the “killdozer” the hypocritical and blind ignorance of white America is no surprise. At best Heeymeyer systematically premeditated how to destroy his community rather than reactionary destruction like protesters. However, both results were the same, destruction of property, wanting to be heard because the system refused to listen. White America, if the system made Heeymeyer feel like this, imagine how black people feel. Maybe when you see that our anger is more than justified, we can get real change.
In conclusion, what are your thoughts on righteous anger? Let us know in the comment section below.