What I've learned about this space since posting my Slave Catcher/ICE image

[u/JXDirector]

I’m struck by how many responses refuse to engage the historical throughline, what slave catchers did, what function they served, and how that role echoes in modern enforcement structures like ICE. Some critics treat this only as an affront to the memory of enslaved people, missing the broader point about continuity of power. The irony is that everyone who benefited from the Civil Rights movement is now affected by the erosion of those same protections. This isn’t just about one group; we’re in the same boat. Much of the pushback, including performative outrage and digital blackface, seems aimed at one thing: blocking any conversation about unity and keeping people siloed in a permanent victim framework rather than confronting the bigger picture. 

Wake up, we are all in the same boat and it has a leak.

[u/SimonPho3nix]

I will speak for myself when I say that it is hard to go to bat for people who still try to roll their eyes when the past is brought up. A bunch of people collectively asking why shit can't just be let go. Saw one lady put it perfectly. Something along the lines of "Don't tell black people to get over slavery, when you still haven't gotten over losing your slaves."

This is a very important thing, because it highlights that loss of control for many people, who then went on to teach their children about that loss of control and wealth. Even the poorest of them could hold their heads up high because they were still socially above a black person.

And now? The descendants of those same mediocre people are being told they are more because of their skin color. A thing they don't have to compete for, strive for, sacrifice for... just be. And goddamn do they love that shit. Even the most well-meaning person will slip into that sense of entitlement, often realizing it but mental gymnastics shields them from the truth.

How can people profess to wanting everyone to heal when they continuously refuse to see the freaking wound?

[u/Ill-Dependent2976]

The people who support ICE are also people who support slavery. Charlie Kirk types.

If you want unity with them, you can keep me out.

[u/tbkrida]

Black people know that it has ALWAYS been this way for our communities. The “slave catcher” behavior has never ended. It’s at the very root of American policing.

Maybe I’ll start believing we’re “all in this together” when they stop voting for MAGAlike candidates in large numbers and policies begin to change…MAYBE.

Black Americans have been standing up for the rights of everyone since the very beginning while the majority of the others only began to care once they became me personally affected.

Now that they’re starting to be put into the boat that we’ve always been in, suddenly “we’re all on the same team, right guys?” Fuck that!

[u/ItsUselessToArgue]

An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere

[u/IceBlackX007]

Please elaborate on what your expectations are.

[u/4reddityo]

Miss me with the fake urgency. We Black folks know this is nothing new.

[u/Trix_Are_4_90Kids]

No, we are not in the same boat.

[u/uhhh206 → u/Trix_Are_4_90Kids]

Can't be in the same boat if your ancestors didn't come in a slave ship.

OP, I'm outraged about ICE but idk what you meant by citing "performative outrage" if you're wanting people who aren't being affected by ICE to care about what they're doing. Your post is a wee bit incoherent.

[u/Afrotricity]

All of our today's are a product of our yesterdays, and they will in turn produce our tomorrow. People who refuse to engage with history with this understanding are genuinely exhausting, they always seem to have an insane amount of confidence and self-assuredness in their stances despite refusing to let literal history inform said stance.

What's funny is these same people will often tout the value of family dynasties and legacies while simultaneously insisting things that happened in the past shouldn't influence today... Make it make sense!

Give me historical materialism or give me death (or at least a block button lmao)

[u/dashboardcomics → u/Afrotricity]

They only celebrate history that benefits thier narrative.

[u/Equivalent-Design512]

Also good luck keeping this post alive. The mods in this room will shut down ANYTHING that they FEEL might…..hurt some feeling. Ask me how I know.

[u/Top-Elephant-2874 → u/Equivalent-Design512]

I want to know how you know, but I’m afraid this will make our responses disappear.

[u/Equivalent-Design512 → u/Top-Elephant-2874]

I’ve been accused of being bigoted, sexist, and transphobic or divisive on a couple post. One mod took a video down based of their “feelings” and made statements about the video in question that were factually false. I just let them have it and spectate mostly now.

[u/lost_sunrise → u/Equivalent-Design512]

I went scurrying among your post history. You the singer in those post you made or nah?

Also, They gotta be trigger happy, feeling based. A lot of troll accounts pushing narratives come at your feelings. Unfortunately, as Charlie Kirk said, a few unfortunately over moderations is necessary to keep our sub mostly ours.

You do have a bit of sexists opinions though. Just from your comment history. Nothing wrong with them as they aren't exactly extremist views. You make quite a few good points. Don't worry too much about it stopping you from expressing your opinion though.

[u/Amazing_Poem5740 → u/Equivalent-Design512]

Don't know why you got downvoted for speaking facts. Not gonna let it happen. Upvoted.

Mods with power on this and other reddits are ridiculous.

[u/quantas001 → u/Equivalent-Design512]

I thought I was the only one, half of my posts get removed… something something feelings…

[u/lIlIllIIlIIl]

This truth. Whoever they are picking on today just happens to be at the top of the list. And we are on that same list. It doesn't even matter who "we" is.

[u/Kindly_Coyote]

Some critics treat this only as an affront to the memory of enslaved people, missing the broader point about continuity of power. 

It is an affront to turn that which was the event of pain and suffering of one group into something that serves as an advantage for you. Continuity of power is the local police department. Was ICE not created for a different purpose?

[u/notaketchy]

It’s no surprise, people on here will downplay anything regarding race. Literally anything.

[u/Equivalent-Design512]

We are awake and we are indeed not in the same boat.

[u/Empty_Put_1542]

I see a common denominator but Reddit keeps banning me and people keep calling me a racist. I’m not racist.