Today I pause for a short break. It is June 6th, the 76th anniversary of D-Day. It is also my ex-wife's 75th Birthday. A time to remember and appreciate people and a bit of history.
I also need to catch my breath. 10 weeks of pandemic, social distancing, wearing face masks, limiting driving and mingling and eating countless snacks! Then a public execution of an innocent black man in Minneapolis. What followed were days of protests, looting, violence and highly questionable policing decisions. Public unrest unsettled the entire nation, even while dealing with the pandemic.
In 1968, Chicago police rioted against protestors of the Viet Nam War. It was well documented. This time, Chicago police did not riot, but a few overstepped their authority and injured innocent citizens. Buffalo police did the same. Again in many cities across the nation police were the problem, not the solution.
In Washington DC police and military units were used inappropriately to 'control' protestors. Peaceful protestors, by the way. But then we know why they were used in this way. Political calculations are not appropriate in place of public safety. Enough said.
I sense a change in public sentiment. Communities are beginning to reimagine themselves. We mean a lot to the community, and the community is the result of our caring and engagement in public matters. As long as we keep our good manners and express our opinions honestly, the community should thrive. Authority within the community comes from the community, we the people. Together we raise generations of children and safeguard the elderly. Together we nurture our local institutions and businesses.
Together we build voice and identity of the community. Together we heal from pandemics and social injustices. As a community we build the future for each and every one of us. Times such as these teach us a lot about ourselves.
That's a good thing. Revel in our community's strength.
June 6, 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment