Opinion | Montgomery Brawl: A Clarifying Moment for Many

A viral video captured a brawl in Montgomery, Alabama, where white people attacked a black riverboat co-captain, and black people came to his defense. The incident highlights the historical and ongoing victimization of black people and the need for self-defense and intervention.

The Alabama Sweet Tea Party was the nickname given to a recent incident that took place on a riverfront dock in Montgomery, Alabama. The incident, which was captured in viral videos, involved a group of white people attacking Damien Pickett, a Black riverboat co-captain who was trying to clear a berth for his vessel. In response, a group of Black people came to Pickett's defense.

The situation is undoubtedly sad in many ways. Violence should never be the answer, and the people asked to move their boat should have simply complied. However, for many Black people, this incident was seen as a regrettable but inevitable response to a seemingly endless series of incidents in which Black people are victimized in public, with no one stepping in to help.

The defense of the Black man by other Black individuals goes beyond just a singular event. It represents a departure from the long history of Black-targeted brutality that has plagued the United States. From the brutal treatment of Black slaves to the era of lynchings and racial violence, Black people have often been subjected to harm without anyone coming to their aid.

This theme of victimization has been prevalent in Black literature as well. In Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved," the protagonist's husband witnesses her being brutally whipped and assaulted but is powerless to intervene. This powerlessness leads to his descent into madness.

While there have been instances of resistance to racial violence throughout history, they have often been overshadowed by the imagery of Black victimization. The civil rights movement, for example, showcased the cruelty of Southern racists through nonviolent protests, but it also resulted in images of Black individuals being beaten and attacked.

This motif of Black victimization has continued into the present era, with incidents like the beating of Rodney King, the choking of Eric Garner, and the murder of George Floyd being captured on camera. The bystanders who witnessed these incidents, like Darnella Frazier and Charles McMillian, have expressed feelings of guilt and helplessness for not being able to intervene and save the victims.

The incident in Montgomery, however, stood in contrast to this norm. Black people coming to the defense of a Black man under attack provided a sense of historical correction and therapy for many who witnessed it. It was a moment of righteous indignation and self-defense in a state with a dark history of slavery and racial oppression.

While violence is never the ideal solution, self-defense is a morally justifiable action. There are times when standing up and defending oneself is the only appropriate response. It is important to hope and pray that situations like this do not escalate into violence, but it is also crucial to understand that no one should be expected to endure violence without defending themselves or receiving help.

In conclusion, the Alabama Sweet Tea Party incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the importance of standing up against injustice. It is a call to action for individuals to intervene and defend those who are being victimized, and a reminder that no one should have to endure violence without support.