I do think (and feel) that Putin, the Saudi's and the money behind tRUMP and the Orange Nightmare were intentionally "stoking the fire" and "trying to start a race war" Just like Taylor Swift tweeted. I think he wanted to declare martial law so he can manipulate the election, but what's even more evil about him is I actually sensed he doesn't care if his supporters - or anyone for that matter is killed in the process.I don't think he will succeed, and this may even backfire on them.
Taylor Swift also tweeted that "We are going to vote you out in November" to the Orange nightmare too. Yay Taylor! She got more likes from that tweet than any other - ever.
The good part I felt over the weekend though, is that the tide is turning. I also feel that this movement will actually - FINALLY - tackle over the next 1.5 - 2 years the racism in American and it will bring great change for the good. Kindness and love will prevail. It may get worse before it gets better, but tRUMP will not succeed and he and the GOP are toast come the election.
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Beautifully said, VestraLux. We are so lucky to have you among us. @Ana we are glad you’ve joined us and warmly welcome you. We need each other as we bear witness in the days, weeks and months ahead.
The good part I felt over the weekend though, is that the tide is turning. I also feel that this movement will actually - FINALLY - tackle over the next 1.5 - 2 years the racism in American and it will bring great change for the good. Kindness and love will prevail. It may get worse before it gets better, but tRUMP will not succeed and he and the GOP are toast come the election.
Oh I hope and pray so--all of it. It is so disheartening that over 50 years since the civil rights era and black folks are still being murdered with impunity in this country.
I hope so too! My timing might be a bit off and It won't solve racism - but there will be some new laws that will be for the good.
Is that a price minorities want to pay? It's a question they might ask of themselves.
So, when you criticize the reactions of oppressed people—those who have been far more impacted by policing and the criminal justice system as a whole than you can understand—your intention falls flat.
Thank you, Vestralux for sticking with your point and putting your energy into an eloquent explanation. You are right. Ironically in Boston last night, the protestors who turned confrontational at the end of the night included a fair number of white men. I don't know who they are or why they came, but I'm going to guess that the white man I saw on the front page of the Boston Globe grappling with police -- not violently, but refusing to be pushed back down the street -- I felt that that white man was incensed about the oppression of blacks. Many whites, like you, like me, and like many who come to this forum, are angry at the oppression of our black brothers and sisters. We stand with them.
I am a hopeless half-glass-full person. I lived through the 60's and all subsequent turbulent times. While this IS tragic and painful, I see some small rays of hope. The protestors (the peaceful ones) are of all races. In some cities, (not enough), law enforcement joined in taking a knee for the nine minutes that George Floyd suffered. I am listening to numerous Black commentators with microphones in their hands on the streets across the country. Numerous Black regular contributors grace nearly every news show I watch. Joy Reid has her own show as a host, and she's terrific. I have a former President who is Black and makes us proud at every turn both here and abroad. We are not in the same place, but we DO still have a ton of work to do. We cannot let down. Police departments must purge their departments of hate. A light must be shone on exemplary departments around the country who embrace their communities with compassion. ...and there are some. Better training must follow. Finally, I find hope in the glimpses of young white people carrying Black Lives Matter signs and signs that say SILENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER, etc. They are not starting where my generation did. I have hope.
@vestralux and @Laura-f thank you for your passion. I read your posts with great interest.
These words are from a dear friend who lives in NC. She's blunt like me (also from NY - go figure haha), but she has a gift for brevity that I don't.
To the best of my knowledge, below recaps what is happening, and clearly, I am not going to capture everything as a white person, but:
1. the system continues to say black lives do not matter
2. the system also says 'stuff' is more important than black lives
3. if these four murdering cops were arrested and charged, we wouldn't be here (as well as other murdering racists that have made the news)
4. apparently taking a knee a year ago+ was a problem too
5. there are documented incidents that some of this violence and looting is done by white supremacists to incite the police more (many people are demonstrating against trump too)
6. there are documented incidents of peaceful demonstrations until police fired tear gas and rubber bullets - or worse.
I believe i have the main points, but if those in power continue to oppress, kill, or fail to protect those who are already oppressed, then we will be back here every single time.
@ Seeker4 I salute you. That is the way to go: finding the rays of hope. I pray that this really is the turning point the USA needs and do feel that with this, Covid and all the crap the world is now going through it cannot be anything less.
@ Allyn and Laura F, keep your passion going;-) It's what makes change happen.
Stay safe all.