These days are super stressful. I'm still working from home because of the pandemic, and I'm still dealing with the feelings of isolation, but that is not the subject of this post. I watched the video of George Floyd's arrest which resulted in his death. I also watched one of his televised memorials and his funeral service. Reverend Al Sharpton's eulogies were moving and served as messages for the living to think about things.
I have been watching the coverage of the protests in different cities. The closest to me were in Mobile and Pensacola. Peaceful protests for reform and change are admirable. It takes a lot more energy to maintain peace while trying to enact change than to go wild and get violent to get that same change. This country needs some positive change to affect her. The change needs to come for race relations. When everyone can sit at the table of true brotherhood and be treated as equal is when this country can begin to be great.
The protests didn't start with George Floyd's death at the hands of police, but they have been perpetual. I remember watching recorded footage of them when they happened in the 50's and 60's. I also remember seeing footage of the riots. That was definitely the wrong way to go. Fast forward to the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick. I thought that was a noble and peaceful protest. This upset the White House and many felt that it was unpatriotic. I saw many tweets and rally speeches about it, but how was he unpatriotic? We are supposed to chastise the ones we love when they are doing wrong. That is how I'm seeing the protests that happened then and are taking place now. Everyone should want America to be the best and greatest she can be. I certainly do. I kept remembering some of the speeches of Dr. King, not just the I Have a Dream speech, but also his speech about Vietnam and his letters from the Birmingham jail. So it is our duty to call America out when she is doing wrong. It can help all of us be better and improve our times.
Things must change. When I was younger, I can't remember who said it, but I heard that the world is white, male, and right handed. If that is true, I have one thing going in my favor, being right handed. I am a black female. I have been DWB (Driving While Black) and followed by the police repeatedly, and yes I have been called that infamous racial epithet by someone in ignorance. Ignorance and fear arm that word, and we all know the opposites of those, knowledge and love. That is what the world needs now, more knowledge, understanding, and love.
I think that some white people have not gotten to know their black and brown brothers and sisters. Well now is as good a time as any. If all lives matter, black and brown lives matter too. We need to sit down and talk and quit assuming and tweeting things that aren't true. Get the lowdown on the hoedown, so we can have some honest, but needed conversations. Black is not a threat. It is beautiful! I have been seeing positives also in the form of the protests with all kinds of diversity among the protestors. I like to stay hopeful for the country, the world, the future. I'm going to close now. I keep thinking of the pledge of allegiance. When I was in elementary school, the class would say it every morning before school officially started. The part that comes to mind is, "One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all." Every American must realize this if this country is going to be as awesome as many think she is.
On this parting note, I urge you to study up on Mahatma Ghandhi, read Dr. King's speeches and letters as well as read Emma Lazarus's poem, "The New Colossus". Until next time, y'all hold it in the road.
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