After hundreds of white supremacists, some carrying torches and Nazi flags, descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia, this weekend, clashing violently with anti-racist protesters, the hashtag #ThisIsNotUS began trending on Twitter.
People used the phrase to express their disdain and disappointment at the hatred and bigotry on display in Charlottesville, and to condemn the violence which resulted in the death of one woman and the injury of dozens. “This is Anti-American,” wrote singer Lady Gaga, using the hashtag on Saturday.
I pray a true leader will rise to expel hatred from America. This is not US! This is Anti-American #ThisIsNotUS #Charlottesville #BeKind
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) August 12, 2017
#Ashamed to be #Virginia native. #Ashamed of what isn't condemned. #thisisnotus #Charlottesville https://t.co/NNN3pTwxPV
— Brenda L Barnes (@BrendaLBarnes) August 13, 2017
America... we can do better. Its time.... it's time to be The "United" States of America :'(#Charlottesville #thisisnotus #Love
— Robin Belzil Biundo (@RobinBiundo) August 13, 2017
Both America and all of humanity deserve more than the terrorism and hatred of #Charlottesville. #ThisIsNotUS
— Ava (@bookwormava) August 12, 2017
Bigotry is destructive. It cannot cohere. It will not stand. Love is strong. Nothing can stop love. #nohate #thisisnotUS #Charlottesville
— Les Le Mon Author (@LesLeMonAuthor) August 13, 2017
This is horrifying #thisisnotus #bekind pic.twitter.com/RAaRWm2v32
— Joe-e (@sojoefranco) August 13, 2017
But many on social media have also criticized the use of the hashtag as a form of denialism ― of both America’s racist past and the bigotry that continues to flourish across the nation.
“People are saying #thisisnotus. Of course it is. Refusing to grapple with that fact [is] how we got here in the first place,” wrote New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb.
Below is a sampling of some other Twitter reactions:
You say #ThisIsNotUs but it is. We've been saying it, you just choose to look away because it didn't directly affect you.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 12, 2017
#ThisIsNotUS Except that it is folks. We have never fully dealt with racism and its ills. Im not in the mood for this Kumbaya right now.
— Tina-Desiree Berg (@TinaDesireeBerg) August 12, 2017
People saying #ThisIsNotUs need take a long look at history #ThisIsTotallyUs
— Shnalls (@fuxwithshnalls) August 13, 2017
60 years later hate still looks the same. #Charolettesville #hate #thisisnotus pic.twitter.com/rrHmNROpor
— CD (@vtdeel3) August 13, 2017
I'm sorry, but what is this #ThisIsNotUS hashtag? This is literally how America has always been. Stop acting like this is brand new.
— Andrea Steele (@Dreeaa85) August 12, 2017
I'm not the first to say this, but the #ThisIsNotUs hashtag allows distancing and denial. Truth is, this IS America, at it's core.
— Boogie (@naima) August 13, 2017
#ThisIsNotUs hashtag is horseshit. This *is* the US. Not individually, maybe, but collectively. Every single era of US history shows that.
— Laura Hogan ❄️ (@holborne) August 13, 2017
If #charlottsville is the reason you're picking a side, you have NOT been paying attention. #ThisIsNotUs folks, YES IT IS. #ThisIsUs
— Naseem Jamnia (@jamsternazzy) August 13, 2017
#ThisIsNotUs hashtag is not only annoying but embarrassing.
— Kim Moore (@SoulRevision) August 13, 2017
If #ThisIsNotUs, explain:
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) August 13, 2017
-Genocide of Natives
-Slavery
-Jim Crow
-Chinese Exclusion Act
-War on Terror
-Muslim Bans...
I could go on
How about instead of white people saying #ThisIsNotUs we acknowledge our history of racism and instead say #ThisEndsWithMe?
— Nathanael Hood (@NateHood257) August 12, 2017
My girl Miranda Priestly gave me an answer for #ThisIsNotUs a long time ago: pic.twitter.com/bgYb8p5LCj
— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) August 13, 2017
People are saying #thisisnotus. Of course it is. Refusing to grapple with that fact how we got here in the first place. #charlottesville
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) August 13, 2017
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.