The Capitol Was Invaded by White Supremacists

Thomas J. Coates PhD, Director
University of California Global Health Institute
Distinguished Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

The insurrectionists’ invasion of the United States Capitol, a first in our history, was terrible to watch and experience.  I can only imagine the fear and the terror of those inside charged with doing the people’s business when the Capitol building was breached.  I thank them for their courage and dedication for completing the business of the day, even in the face of ugly and deadly domestic terrorism.  They did not leave the building until they certified the election of President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Many have commented, and I agree, that no one could miss white privilege in action. Black or brown protesters would have been treated far more harshly. Recall the Black Lives Matter protest in Washington DC earlier in 2020.

But it was the raw display of the domestic terrorists’ white supremacy that shook me to the core.  The Redshirts of the Southern United States used violence to suppress Black voters in the 19^th century and the Red Hats who invaded the Capitol have replaced them today.

The Red Hats, on Wednesday, carried Confederate flags and swastikas into the Capitol and these scream oppression and hate.  The predominately white mob brought nooses into the building and we all know how they have been and continue to be used in America.    Congresspeople quoting Hitler and shirts reading “Camp Auschwitz” and “6MWE” (6 Million Wasn’t Enough) glorify horrible carnage that has no place anywhere, much less in the building that houses our democratic institutions.

The University of California Global Health Institute brings together faculty, staff, students, and global partners so that we, collectively, can invest our passion and skills to address health inequities and systemic racism locally and globally.

Global health is about social justice and this is the lens through which we address health inequities.  True health equity can only thrive in an environment that promotes the fundamental principle that all humans--no matter what they look like or where they are from or where they live—have a fundamental right to be treated with respect, dignity, and equality. 

White supremacy has no place in this world.  We advocate for social justice and cherish diversity because therein lies the solutions to the health problems of the earth and its people.