Day 9

Day 9 of the local, national, and global protests over racial inequities have solidified the deep schisms running through our society. People are rightfully angry. Injustice is never an acceptable means to the end. We all want a utopia and yet, through the smoldering ruins of businesses, burnt husks of twisted metal, blood spattered streets, shattered glass, and grey clouds of tear gas; the answers still elude us. The dreams of a better society haunt our psyche, whispering sweet melodies of what could be, and then we open our eyes to the pandemic, unemployment, an economic Depression, violence perpetrated by our government against their own people, protesters lashing out at innocent bystanders, and restrictive laws. String these elements together and they make for a deadly cocktail. Drink deeply my friends for the suffering is just beginning. The police are not the enemy nor is the government or the figment of our imagination that pretends to be a president. If we are to be honest, none of these factors truly have a direct effect on our everyday lives. They are a smoke screen to blind us from our individual and collective ability to achieve our true potential. No mayor, governor, police chief, pastor, or official has power over our actions other than what we freely give. I have the choice to live as my authentic self in the present moment.

Recently, I have read several posts from African-American leaders stating there is no room for discussion on certain racially charged subjects. If I question any of the motives or actions of the protests, then I am therefore complicit to the actions of certain individuals. This is not truth and this line of reasoning must be rejected. These agitators are shutting the door on civil discourse by defending the looting as collateral damage for past transgressions and perceived systemic racism. But they have not considered the damage these actions have on the current rebuilding efforts. Black, White, Asian, and Latino businesses are more than a brick and mortar structure. These four walls embody hope for a better future, sacrifice, perseverance, financial freedom, pride, and community engagement. Without these physical constructs, the flow of money, people interacting with each other on a daily basis, tax revenue, and volunteer action promoting local improvements based on personal observations of inequities are stymied. In addition, government funds are redirected to the wrong places. Instead of pouring limited tax money into creating a beautiful green space, supporting educational opportunities, or building bridges for a diverse work force, we now have to replace police vehicles and equipment, pay overtime to First Responders, funnel resources to destroyed infrastructure, and secure lawyers for the numerous civil lawsuits that result from clashes between protestors and government officials. What they fail to consider is that the vast majority of persons support a society based on fundamental equality and civil rights. Anger, frustration, the abhorrent actions of a few, and our current state of affairs are fleeting shadows dancing on the winds of actual change. Unfortunately, I am like many persons who have witnessed these types of events and know that this will pass. Cities will rebuild, government officials will focus their attention on pacifying the majority for the promise of a vote, and America will endure another scar. Solutions lie in education, truth, love, and service not violence or destruction. The external fires we see burning cause pain and death but the internal fire that burns indefinitely within each of us contains the hope and truth necessary to sustain the change we hope to collectively achieve.