I normally don’t write politically here, nor do I share my location. Once I start sharing, I know I can’t go back. But the violence of the last few days has been surreal, getting me thinking of how life is affected by scary combinations of society opening up, police messing up, and people getting hurt, some dying. Here’s some opinions, all mine:
Self-isolation creates a bubble.
I have been privileged to still have a job, roof over my head, food on my plate. I still pay for WiFi, and my student loan is temporarily on hold. I work hard, yes, but I’m also lucky. It’s a change to have most of my life in one place, but I’ve made do. Others are not so lucky.
So when events like an unnecessary killing of an unarmed individual and consequent protests happen, I don’t know right away. When I hear about George Floyd, it’s not from the news. My “coworker” boyfriend discovered the protests via Facebook at midnight on Friday. A protest was miles away from my home earlier that afternoon, but we didn’t know.
By being self-isolated for so long, “peopling” feels different.
I think I would have participated in Friday’s peaceful protest, had I known. I would have worn a mask, though. Little by little, the city is opening up. It’s confusing, with different rules depending on the area. And it’s a privilege to be confused, instead of scared for my life. Reading the news, journalists and others are being targeted. That’s not okay.
Peaceful protests and other “peopling” activities are individual rights of living in a democracy. It’s unjust that brown and black people are disproportionally targeted. Indeed, cases of Corona and violence at the hands of police are affecting people of color more. Yeah, I can’t help the color of my skin, but I can speak up.
It’s not revolutionary to want equal rights, including safety.
I believe the peaceful protests are an appropriate response. But the violence after? Doesn’t violence beget more violence? Let me be clear, the day’s actions must be separated from the evening’s. Yes, looting is awful, as well, but the lives taken away is senseless: our communities must become strong, together.
The systems, for both justice and healthcare, need to change if we’re going to move past violence and the pandemic. By responding with curfews across the nation and (as of writing) no response from the capital, we are creating a culture of fear, on top of Corona. So, how do we turn to support, love? By speaking up. So share your voice!