Take a Chill Pill, America: A Call for Calm, Perspective, and Constitutional Clarity
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Take a Chill Pill, America: A Call for Calm, Perspective, and Constitutional Clarity
by Republican People of Color
America feels tense right now. If you live in Minnesota, especially in South Minneapolis, it might seem like everything is falling apart. There are whistles, car chases with constant honking, neighborhood checkpoints, license-plate tracking, and Signal chats full of suspicion. Some neighborhoods feel like they are on high alert, while the rest of the state goes about life, unsure what all the fuss is about. However, it is important to remember that experiences across the state differ. While some areas might share similar concerns, others may experience a different pace and set of challenges. This diversity of experience is what makes Minnesota unique.
Some people are angry. They are marching, protesting, organizing, and forming movements. Honestly, that part is beautiful. Protest is woven into the fabric of this country, from the Boston Tea Party, where colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and dumped the King’s tea into the harbor, to abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, the suffrage movement led by Susan B.has shaped America at every turn. We are all Free People in deeds!
It is worth remembering that in 1968, Dr. King was one of the most hated men in America. (Cobb, 2018) Anyone who challenges the status quo is often despised, and sometimes even killed. That is the cost of dissent in a free society.
So when our brothers and sisters protest in Minnesota, we say: go for it. Protest is good. Dissent is healthy. It has always pushed America forward.
But here is the catch: Americans do not like being pushed around, whether by each other or by the government. That tension is exactly where Minnesota is today.
The Flashpoint: ICE and the Minnesota Moment
After the “No Kings” rally fizzled despite massive funding; the political energy shifted toward ICE and immigration enforcement. For those of us in the Republican People of Color, none of this is surprising. Minnesota has a long history of strong political swings, both left and right, and we have lived through it.
We have seen government agencies used as tools against people. We have seen regular people used in the same way. We have seen anger turn into action, sometimes without thinking and sometimes in ways that put people in danger. With the tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Preti, Minnesotans mourned, no matter their politics.
But some of us also saw a pattern we recognized, the same planned chaos we saw during the George Floyd time. By ‘planned chaos,’ we mean orchestrated acts that appear spontaneous but are intentionally designed to incite unrest and division. This can involve various actors, ranging from political agitators to organized groups that seek to exploit tensions for their gain, causing disruptions that seem to emerge naturally but often have a guiding hand behind them.
From people burning Qurans on the right to Antifa on the left, from bloggers causing trouble to group signal chats looking for “suspects,” and hunting down ICE agents. Minnesota once again became a stage for national political drama. According to a statement from Minnesota House Republicans, heated rhetoric and escalation have endangered both Minnesotans and law enforcement, suggesting that leaders from both parties have contributed to worsening the situation. Some national Republican influencers even called for the federal government to step in using the Insurrection Act, forgetting their own beliefs about keeping government power small.
The anxiety was real. People stocked up on food. Some grabbed their guns. Many of us prayed for peace.
The Constitutional Reality: Immigration Is a Federal Authority Domain.
Here is the part too many are ignoring:
Immigration is a federal responsibility.
Congress, the executive branch, and the judiciary hold that authority, not the states.
So, when a state calls itself a “sanctuary” and tries to go against federal immigration law, we get into risky constitutional legal ground. Minnesota is not the first state to try this, but it is the latest hot spot. According to the Supreme Court’s decision in Arizona v. United States, 567 U.S. 387 (2012), immigration policy is primarily the domain of the federal government, limiting the extent to which states can enact their own immigration-related policies.
This is how crises begin.
Where Do We Go From Here?
In acknowledging the current climate, it is essential to recognize the deep-seated concerns and anxieties that many Americans are experiencing. The challenges we face are real and evoke a spectrum of emotions from anger to fear and frustration. However, amid these genuine concerns, my two cents: America needs to take a chill pill.
This fight between ICE and the Minnesota Democrats, who lead the state government, does not put bread on anyone’s table. It does not lower rent, reduce crime, improve schools, or fix healthcare. Yet the rhetoric has escalated to the point of Civil War comparisons. Even Minnesota’s mayor and governor have mentioned Gettysburg, calling it a defining moment in the struggle between state and federal power.
Let us remember what Gettysburg actually represented:
A nation deciding whether it would remain united.
The Civil War was indeed about slavery, but it was also about state rights versus federal authority. The echoes of that debate are now being used recklessly in Minnesota.
At Republican People of Color, we urge everyone to step back.
Sit this one out. By ‘sitting this one out,’ we mean taking a step back from escalation and choosing not to engage in activities that might heighten the current tensions. This could mean refraining from participating in violent nonpeaceful protests that might lead to confrontation and instead focusing on fostering constructive dialogue and promoting understanding across different perspectives. Protest by all means, it is your American right. But do it peacefully and nonviolently. It is about choosing patience and dialogue over immediate action, while still staying informed and engaged in civic discussions to prepare for when our voices can be expressed through voting and advocacy.
Let the constitutional process work.
Our union is strong. It will hold.
No mayor, governor, president, or activist, whether left or right, gets to choose which laws they follow and which they ignore. That is the road to anarchy.
We learned during the George Floyd unrest that abandoning law enforcement leads to chaos. And while many of us disagree with federal agencies—I have been a public dissident of the old FBI myself—we still recognize that they are the law. We do not get to pick and choose.
Freedom is not free. Every generation is tested. This is our test.
A Call for Tolerance and Civic Engagement
Elections were held even during the Civil War.
They will be held now.
And that is where this debate belongs — at the ballot box.
Republican People of Color have chosen their side. You may choose yours. That is the beauty of democracy. But burning down our state, whether literally or with words, helps no one.
So we are taking a chill pill.
We are sitting this one out.
We are waiting for the 2026 midterms. While we wait, there are several ways citizens can stay engaged and support their communities. Attend local town hall meetings to understand community issues better, volunteer for local charity organizations, or join civic groups focused on issues you care about. Engaging in community discussions and participating in local events can foster collaboration and create positive change. Also, consider educating yourself and others about the political processes and initiatives that affect your community, so you are informed and proactive when it is time to vote.
And when the time comes, we will campaign hard, peacefully, passionately, and with conviction for the values we believe in.
Until then:
Let us protect our union.
Let us protect our neighbors.
Let us protect our democracy.
Good luck to all sides.
We are partisan elephants as republican people of color!
Let the elephants and donkeys make their case to the Free People Power.
That is, you, Citizen, part of We the People.
The American Way of Life.
Free People Power.
Let us all wait for the 2026 midterms and sit this one out!
Take a chill pill, America.
Red, white, and Chill!
And may Minnesota and America come out more resilient on the other side.
References
Cobb, J. C. (April 3, 2018). Even Though He Is Revered Today, MLK Was Widely Disliked by the American Public When He Was Killed. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-martin-luther-king-had-75-percent-disapproval-rating-year-he-died-180968664/
