I wanted to write something profound about what happened in Charleston. I wanted to say something that no one else had thought of about the seemingly insuperable powers of race and racism and hate and guns.
I wanted to do that and more.
But, I can’t, and I haven’t. Because I am at a loss. I have no words for what happened beyond those that have been expressed by millions already. I’m as shocked and saddened and angered and frustrated as all (except, perhaps, for the families of the victims who are feeling these emotions and others more acutely than anyone possibly could).
But, I have no solutions. All I have are words, and based on the continued happening of events just like this one it seems that words don’t matter. People are sad and mad and frustrated and ready to do something today. But, what about tomorrow? And, the day after that? And, the day after that?
None of the Facebook posts and Tweets that are flying around the Internet mean much if we (and I include me in that “we”) don’t follow up. The guns are already out there. The racists are already out there. The haters are already out there.
But, where are we?
2 Comments on “The Racists Are Armed And Where Are We?”
I think “we” and by that I am talking about the “we” who are deeply committed to social justice, are at a tipping point in history. Our government has been bought and paid for by the NRA. The police force has turned into a racist fascist regime. The for-profit prison industrial complex feeds greedily from the mass incarceration of Black men and traffickers enrich themselves by selling women – and children – of color globally. I too am at a loss Alex. At the very least, the very least, we can speak out against the endless violence. At the very least, we can use our voting power to expose and rid our government of NRA and racist front men posing as legislators. At the very least, we can look to our sisters and brothers of color for direction and support their leadership. I believe there is a new movement on the horizon. And where are “we?” I think we – as white allies – we must be at the ready to do whatever is necessary.
Evelina: This is great! And, I agree.
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