In the early 1990s, the streets of Los Angeles erupted in fire and fury after a jury acquitted four police officers caught on video beating Rodney King. The unrest was not spontaneous. It was the breaking point of a community long subjected to systemic injustice, racial profiling, and economic neglect. For Black Americans, that moment was personal. It was painful. And it was ours.
Now, decades later, the National Guard has again been deployed to Los Angeles. But this time, the trigger is not a miscarriage of justice against a Black American—it is a response to protests over immigration raids conducted by ICE. Some have drawn comparisons between the two moments. But the truth is, this is not 1992. And the cause at the center of today’s unrest is not one Black Americans are obligated to rally behind.
In fact, across the country, many Black people are choosing to sit this one out. Not from indifference or cruelty, but from clarity—a growing understanding that self-preservation must come before symbolic alliances.
Not Every Battle Is Ours to Fight
For generations, Black Americans have taken to the streets for justice—not just for ourselves, but for others. From the Civil Rights Movement to recent calls for immigration reform, we’ve often stood in solidarity with other marginalized groups. The assumption has long been that our struggles are shared and that unity equals strength. But history tells a more complicated story.
The concept of a “Black and Brown coalition” sounds powerful in theory. But in practice, such coalitions have often been lopsided. While Black Americans have consistently fought for civil rights that benefit all oppressed peoples, reciprocal support has been uneven at best—and nonexistent at worst.
When Black communities cry out over police brutality, economic exclusion, or voter suppression, how many other groups show up? When we seek justice for names like Breonna Taylor or Ahmaud Arbery, who stands beside us in sustained solidarity? The reality is that political unity has not always meant mutual investment.
The National Guard in 2025 Isn’t 1992
President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles—over the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom—has stirred controversy. But the situation differs significantly from 1992. Then, the unrest was the culmination of systemic violence against Black bodies. Today, it centers on immigration enforcement, namely raids targeting undocumented immigrants—many of whom are not Black, and whose communities have not historically stood with us when we’ve needed them.
Let’s be clear: the moral questions surrounding immigration are valid and serious. Families are being separated. Deportations can be devastating. But these are not issues created by Black Americans, nor are they ours to fix alone. Many of our communities are still reeling from redlining, mass incarceration, and underinvestment. There is no shame in choosing to prioritize our own healing before taking on others’ burdens.
No Ill Will—Just Honest Boundaries
This isn’t about blaming or vilifying any one group. It’s about recognizing that no people can thrive if they are perpetually self-sacrificing. When every cause becomes our cause, our own urgent needs become invisible.
Consider the leaked recordings of L.A. City Council members in 2022, where Councilwoman Nury Martinez—herself Latina—was caught mocking a Black child and expressing disdain for Black political alliances. Her comments, which included disgust over a white colleague being “with the Blacks,” shattered any illusion of universal solidarity.
Or take Lula Washington, the acclaimed founder of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre, who has publicly reflected on how some Mexican Americans in Southern California have chosen assimilation into whiteness over building lasting coalitions with Black communities. This choice is their right. But it’s also a reminder that alliances must be built on trust and mutual respect—not convenience.
The Cost of Unreciprocated Solidarity
Too often, Black Americans are expected to show up for everyone else, even when our own communities are suffering. We’re told that being pro-Black means being pro-everybody. But if we are constantly standing on the front lines for others while no one shows up for us, what exactly are we gaining?
Support should be mutual. Coalitions should be built, not presumed. And unity must be rooted in truth, not guilt.
We live in a nation where systemic inequality is real, and we recognize that undocumented people face hardship. But it’s also true that unchecked immigration can have consequences for native-born Black communities. In cities like Los Angeles, rising housing costs, competition for low-wage jobs, and overcrowded public services have hit Black neighborhoods hard. These are uncomfortable facts, but they must be part of the conversation.
A New Era of Black Political Clarity
This moment is not about turning away from justice. It’s about re-centering Black priorities. As a people, we are still healing from centuries of exploitation. The work of rebuilding Black communities—economically, socially, politically—demands our full focus.
We have the right to ask: What do we get in return for always showing up? Have we healed enough to take on someone else’s struggle right now?
The decision by many Black Americans to stay home during the recent immigration protests isn’t apathy. It’s not bigotry. It’s wisdom born of experience. It’s a recognition that our energy is finite and must be invested wisely.
Conclusion: Self-Preservation Is Not Selfishness
There’s a difference between compassion and codependency. Supporting other marginalized groups doesn’t mean we must always lead their fights. We can care without carrying. We can listen without marching. And we can reserve our full strength for the battles that shape our children’s future.
This is not 1992. And we are no longer the perpetual foot soldiers of someone else’s revolution. Our loyalty to our people is not hate—it’s love. And it’s time we give ourselves permission to act like it.
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