A lion was stalked and killed.
A trans woman was beaten to death.
A four year old boy was killed by a stray bullet.
Supporters of #BlackLivesMatter met in Cleveland to discuss strategy.
These are the news items I paid particular attention to in the last week or so. Not in any particular order.
The story that hit me the hardest was a couple of weeks ago, and that is the story of Sandra Bland being pulled over in Texas for not using a turn signal. She was jailed and died in her cell three days later. She had been unable to pay the $5,000 bond to get out of jail. For not using a turn signal (and for what I think, knowing her rights).
Each of these news items touched off debate, conversation, and unfortunately, judgment.
Before I could get to my second coffee, people in different groups were attacking others for not seeing things as they see things, not taking the correct kind of action, or condemning people who could not possibly help or relate.
Oh my.
My activism is not neatly boxed into one issue. I give a shit about many issues and I try to use my voice to make the world a better place for all living beings. I have been a fighter of injustice since I was a kid.
Yes, a white gay guy living in privilege who gives a shit about others, and I'm not alone. I'm not into fighting and being told I don't belong. There are definitely discussions I stay out of when I think it's not my place, but there are so many issues where my voice can be powerful. I don't write that just because I think my voice is stronger than yours. I write it because I believe everyone's voice can be powerful.
When we use it.
I Periscoped earlier this week with the title "Talking about Sandra Bland" and most folks were not interested, a couple had no idea who she is is, and one said it was funny seeing someone living in white privilege talking about Sandra Bland. Yep.
It is so easy for activists, or humans, to attack other activists rather than asking questions, having a conversation or opening one's mind to learn something about an issue that is equally as powerful as yours, but one you might not know much about.
But it's not impossible.
Thanks for reading.
I am a lesbian living in privilege, (sort of) in a very small town in rural Arkansas. No one is concerned about any cause except the pie contest at the County Fair. Since being a social activist for all of my 73 years, I am at my wit's end about how to deal with the folks who live in this town. I try to reach some folks in my blog, but feel as if I am preaching to the choir. People here don't believe in computers and I am not really up to standing on a box in the court house square. It's frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading my post! I am super stoked to know you're out there!
DeleteI wish we lived closer, Dan. (LA is definitely closer than Colorado!) I feel like you are someone I would love to just sit down and TALK with. Like, real talk. For hours.
ReplyDeleteI think we would have great conversations. Some day!