The nation was stunned today by the viral footage of teenagers from an all-male Catholic prep school harassing an elderly Native American veteran, Nathan Philips, screaming “BUILD THAT WALL” and other racist trash at him while they proudly showed off their MAGA hats.
I am so deeply grieved and angry by this as young kids in MAGA hats surrounded and mocked a beloved Native American elder yesterday.
When your power is centered in your whiteness, mocking others who are unlike you makes you feel strong.
But it’s weak. And despicable. pic.twitter.com/38FtzGtowL
— Shaun King (@shaunking) January 19, 2019
The boys who will inevitably grow up to fill the ranks of the Republican Party and, in all likelihood, the police registries of sexual assailants, were in town to support the “March for Life” and its forced birth agenda, but judging from their behavior in the videos, it’s clear the teens do not care much for so-called “Christian values.”
The editor of one of America’s largest Jesuit magazines and a Jesuit priest himself took to Twitter to condemn their actions and to praise Mr. Philips for staying resolute in his protest chant and refusing to rise to the bait.
I am as disgusted by the contemptuous laughter of the mass of students as I am moved by the quiet dignity of the solitary man who continues to chant. Those students could learn much from this elder, if they had chosen to. Or if they choose to. https://t.co/6i2buMmI8w
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 19, 2019
The worst part about this entire affair is the smug looks on the faces of the teens as they spit on everything they are supposed to stand for — respect for elders, respect for veterans, love for your fellow human — supremely confident in the belief that this behavior is acceptable because it’s what Trump would approve of.
Long after Trump is rotting in his grave will we be dealing with the problems that he’s created, and de-radicalizing these kids is going to be one of the hardest tasks. We’ll certainly need the guidance of men like Father James Martin to do so.