it's comparing racialized people in the US to the Melians facing Athens. Sparta (liberals, democrats) are not coming to your aid. The choice is as it has always been, fight an apparently superior opponent or roll over and die.

The Athenians would have you believe there is no shame surrendering to the superior force and suffering their depredations forever. They prefer victory without having to exterminate you. But if you fight, they will most likely exterminate you.