I don’t doubt the sincerity of people taking to the streets across America to call for a fairer justice system — especially those who are marching every day and into the night. Still, the almost comical public self-flagellation of some white protesters suggests they are more interested in being seen protesting than truly effecting change. Such is the case with those enjoying Washington’s warming weather in Logan Circle each afternoon. The legitimacy of their socializing in the sun is shielded by sporadically taking a knee.

A similar dynamic is at play around the world. Take Justin Trudeau’s ludicrous pause Tuesday when he was asked for his reaction to the protests. Straight out of the Tony Blair eloquent pause textbook, Trudeau took 20 seconds to respond. The Canadian Prime Minister’s former black-face exploits long forgotten, the media reaction to his response was near orgasmic. Trudeau, CNN’s Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo agreed, is “many of us.”