America, Who Are We?
I went to sleep last night in the middle of a riot. I woke up this morning to a CNN crew arrested and a U.S. President who has advocated violence as a response.
UDPATE 8–11–20: Kamala Harris was just announced as Joe Biden’s running mate, the first woman of color to run for VP. As I watched today’s news, my attentions were diverted by a glimpse of this stream-of-consciousness article I had posted here in April. Between our current pandemic and violence in the streets, the time to define the “America” we want — and need — is right now.
The original post follows …
I wrote the below article for Medium two days ago and, while praised for the intent, was also criticized for expressing “white guilt.”
There was no “guilt” in my words. There was only truth, from my sole perspective.
And that truth, as ever, is I want to do better.
Period. No further explanation is necessary.
48 hours passed, and I posted this on my Facebook this morning:
For those of you who did not know my friend Shad, he was best known as a former WWE wrestler who last week sacrificed his life to save his child from drowning.
Shad would not have been passive about either George Floyd, or the riots. His social media activism was contagious; I’ve learned from the best.
When I refer to “our violence-inducing President” in my post, I am referring to this recent tweet:
Twitter flagged the tweet, as well they should have. To be clear, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts” is an old 1960’s protest phase, but it doesn’t matter. It’s potentially deadly, and the President of the United States deliberately appropriated it.
Just as he appropriated “Make America Great Again,” which was a 1980’s Ronald Reagan campaign term, but I digress.
Incidentally, he took credit for creating that one. Once a provocateur, always a provocateur.
Anyone else missing the mood of the country from the prior administration?
I get that’s a loaded statement for many, notably those who voted Donald Trump into office. Still, the question is addressed to you as well. I have my expectations as to your response, but I’ll force myself to be open-minded.
As Minneapolis burned, a CNN crew was arrested and later released. The lead reporter was black.
Hours passed, and in the midst of the Minnesota tragedy it was reported early today that the CDC is forecasting another 20,000+ Covid-19 deaths in the next three weeks.
Because, in part … masks have become political statements?
So much of all of this could have been avoided.
America, who are we?
If we don’t find an answer soon and diligently work towards the common goal of getting there, America will come to represent only one reality:
Anarchy.
Is this what we want? Really?
Is this our new ideal? Is this the America my immigrant grandfather and other ancestors relocated to for a life of freedom? Is this the country for which my Uncle Davy fought and was decorated with a Bronze Star in World War II?
Really … who are we?
Please let me know when you figure it out.
I will do the same for you.
Thank you for reading.
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