4th of July - Quarantine Style

The fireworks, the fireworks, they haven't stopped for weeks now. We are over four months into this Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Shelter-In-Place that has caused so much societal unrest.

The protests, the protests, folks have been protesting since the murder of George Floyd by a police. This murder is in no way the first nor the last committed by police officers.  The ongoing protests, marching, organizing, painting Black Lives Matter on streets across the country,  mural paintings, and toppling statues over, are not based on any single act, but the multitude of murders and systems of oppression that have existed in every area of American life. 

Although, I am glad to finally see outward support from non-people of color in acknowledging that Black and Brown lives "matter," I wonder about their sincerity. How much of the protesting, looting, and social media postings are genuine and how much is simply pent up pandemic frustrations? How many young allies are willing to become accomplices? Will these instantly "woke" businesses create long-term programs to dismantle  racist practices? 

Many are speaking on issues of racial injustice for the first time, and although it has been a long time coming, I hope these same people continue to stand up for justice and fight to change policy and all areas of systemic oppression existing in this country. 

I feel the pressure in our society right now like a bomb waiting to explode. It has been building up for weeks, months, years, decades, more than four centuries if truth be told. I just wonder what took so many people this long to feel it. I suppose that is what real privilege is, living life without ever knowing actual fear, oppression, or hate. For some of us, we were born under these circumstances and have never known any other way of being. 

My hopes are for people to organize sustainable movements that uplift one another within our communities and (ultimately world). True democracy may be unattainable, but that does not mean that we quit before we start. People must rise up as leaders and utilize each other as resources to develop programs that  change policy and empowers people.

As an educator, I firmly believe that the most effective way to transform a society is through education. Our current reality is evidence of the damage that our miseducation causes. If anything is going to improve, we must start by educating ourselves. Read books from credible authors on specific topics and participate in open dialogue with people from a variety of walks of life.  Every person has a role and purpose in creating spaces to teach, learn, grow, and improve their lives and the lives of others. With a selfless mindset, we can work toward building communities that peacefully live and work together.