Rittenhouse Case Set to Crystallize the Already-Polarized Split Between Left and Right on Issues of Race, Arms, Culture and Politics

County officials released murder suspect Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, from jail on November 20th on a $2 million bond. Many donors contributed to the teen's bail after the widespread publication of his arrest.

Kenosha County Sheriffs arrested Rittenhouse at a Black Lives Matter protest in late August. They charged the teenager with fatally shooting two protestors and wounding another.

Circuit court commissioner Loren Keating decided on the $2 million bond citing a flight risk for Rittenhouse. The victims' family also expressed concerns that the case’s politicization might galvanize local militia groups to aid in Rittenhouse’s flight.

Despite the steep bond, Rittenhouse is awaiting trial free from jail after numerous donors contributed to the fund. Contributors include conservative Christian groups, CEO of My Pillow Mike Lindell, and actor Ricky Schroder.

After Rittenhouse’s release, his attorney Lin Wood tweeted a picture of himself with Rittenhouse and Schroder. Wood captioned the tweet with “Free at last!!!,” and hash-tagged the post with “#FightBack.”

Wood's tweet shows Rittenhouse wearing a Black Rifle Coffee shirt in the photograph, suggesting an endorsement by the veteran-owned coffee company. Black Rifle Coffee, however, denies any connection to Rittenhouse.

In a public statement, Black Rifle Coffee CEO Evan Hafer writes, “We do not support legal advocacy efforts. We do not sponsor nor do we have a relationship with the 17-year-old facing charges in Kenosha, WI.”

Rittenhouse’s arrest, defense, and release have activated other conservative voices in the mediascape. Besides Lindell, noted conservative firebrand Ann Coulter tweeted on the subject stating, “I want him as my president.”

For many, Rittenhouse represents a revolutionary, while others view him as a radicalized enforcer.

This case reifies the stark polarization of the American left and right. For some, the Illinois resident is exercising a patriotic duty to defend property from rioters. Others feel his actions, and validation from folks like Coulter, Lindell, and Schroder, illustrate a central pillar of American white supremacy: white ownership supersedes black life.

The summer’s chaos in Kenosha is well-documented on video recorded by both press outlets and bystanders. Several sources recorded Rittenhouse attending the Black Lives Matter protest wielding an AR-15 rifle and counter-protesting among local militia groups similarly armed.

Initially, Rittenhouse claims to have been guarding a local dealership that suffered more than $2 million in damages after arsonists set the cars ablaze. This powder keg moment is likely what set the later violence in motion.

NBC Chicago recorded one video depicting Joseph Rosenbaum attempting to wrest the rifle away from Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse fires the rifle and kills Rosenbaum. Later in the video, Rittenhouse runs from the body claiming to have “just killed somebody.”

The crowd erupted in response to the gunshots. Protestors fled while others sought the gunman in the crowd.

Anthony Huber found Rittenhouse in the scrum and struck him with his skateboard. Rittenhouse fell to the ground, and Huber leaped on top of him to wrestle the rifle away from him. Rittenhouse fired the rifle and killed Huber as well.

The third victim, Gaige Grosskreutz, charged Rittenhouse armed with his own handgun. Rittenhouse shot Grosskreutz in the arm. Rittenhouse fled Wisconsin and returned to his home in Antioch Illinois. Police arrested Rittenhouse the next day after using social media recordings to identify him.

County officials have charged Rittenhouse with two counts of first-degree murder and felony weapons charges — Rittenhouse is too young to carry a firearm legally.

Rittenhouse's attorneys — and his supporters — claim he acted in self-defense.

Wisconsin State can try the teenager as an adult for homicide.

Ultimately, Kenosha represents another emblematic tragedy of our cultural moment made all the bloodier with ubiquitous guns and a deep resentment for who we’ve become.

We see again that crime and justice are inextricably expressed through racialized class systems rooted in our original sins.