“The great enemy of justice are those moderates who feign outrage at societal injustice, but whose outrage conveniently disappears when real change threatens their status. These moderates are more comfortable leaving unchallenged the assumed moral authority of certain institutions, traditions and practices that are the purveyors of injustice rather than confronting their own role in maintaining these institutions. The hard truth is that the comfort of the status quo is always preferable to pursuing the demands of justice.”

—MLKjr

"the white moderate who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action;" who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a '"'more convenient season" - Martin Luther King Jr from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' 16th April 1963

It is 60 years, to the day, almost, since MLK Jr wrote those words, at a time when Black people were being jailed and murdered, by a white supremacist state, accompanied by the mealy-mouthed hand-wringing of the white moderates.

In 2023, Black people are still being jailed and murdered, by a white supremacist state. (This is true for the US and the UK, as well as across the world. I write this from a brown post-colonial nation where also, anti-Blackness has proven repeatedly murderous.)

And the white moderates are still at it.

I could write an essay breaking down all the macro and micro racist moments in Ted Lasso, a show that exemplifies how kind moderate white men see themselves and the world - but I won't. (I'd rather be paid for the labour, if I have to rewatch actively triggering scenes to do it.)

Instead, I will ask the Ted Lasso fandom - does this show disgust you?

And if not, what will it take for a story told by white men to get you there?

Disgust can sit alongside critical appreciation for craft, and emotional affection for characters you have invested in. Anyone who has interacted with white art and culture has learned the ability to weave their love for it alongside the weft of contempt we must cultivate for its racism.

I am not asking if you have stopped loving the show, or its characters. I am asking if you have felt disgusted - truly, viscerally disgusted - by its politics.

Because if you have not - if a bunch of white men turning a Black man into a puppet to preach forgiveness to a Black man who has experienced racist violence - if that does not disgust you...

then you are aligned with white supremacy, no matter how much you may disclaim the crude, ugly right-wing manifestation of it.

Do you choose to forgive the racist show that you love?

1. It's great to have thoughts. But do you got any evidence.

2. Well, I just think BIPOC , Muslims, Women, people with disabilities are like actual human beings.

3. Well, I just think ppl shouldn't have to die because they are poor.

4. Well, that's an opinion.

5. Shakes head at while walking away.

6. Where is President Hillary at?

7. Well, I just prefer to have actual democracy but if you prefer an Oligarchy 🤷🏾‍♀️

8. Eye roll hard.

9. You must like losing.

non-white ppl - this is a very old pattern