In the annals of American history, white animus against Black grievance is always justified, it seems, whether the targets of the animus are Black or not. Ultimately, the animus has the power to override everything — the law, the Constitution, a sense of decency, appeals to the notion of One America. Now that a jury has found Rittenhouse not guilty on all counts, the justice system has only reinforced the validity of that animus, giving it alarming new currency, and legitimacy.

The most disturbing responses to Rittenhouse’s acquittal, after all, came not from dedicated white instigators like the Proud Boys, but from elected officials like Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who were positively effusive. Gaetz, the Republican congressman from Florida, suggested he might reward Rittenhouse’s fortitude with a congressional internship. In this moment we must recognize — those of us who haven’t recognized it yet — that Gaetz and company are fueling the white animus, too…

The exonerated officers were not openly celebrated as heroes or defenders of the faith, as Rittenhouse is being celebrated; for the most part, defenders in 1992 at least had the political sense to be subtle about their satisfaction or to keep quiet. That is no longer the case. Any white person taking up arms against Blackness these days is instantly condoned in certain corners as brave. That’s true whether it’s actual arms aimed at a Black person, as in Arbery’s case, or rhetorical arms aimed at supporters of Black people and against such modest measures of racial redress as critical race theory. Raising a gun, pointing the finger: For too many Americans, it has become one and the same — a form of denying and denigrating Black people in this country that isn’t right, but is tradition. The most tragic thing is it’s perfectly legal, perfectly American.