Protesting Life

Protesters filled the streets. A few weeks ago, a small number of loud republicans wanted life to go completely back to normal. That includes no masks and no distancing. Reckless. But, now, life is opening up. But, in a safe way. Businesses can open, beaches are open. But, masks and distancing are required or strongly recommended. You can have your life back if you keep your distance.

Protesters filled the streets. This time, yet another black man was killed. This time, it was on camera. Rock hard evidence the officer can't talk their way out of. I generally feel like most people in law enforcement are not racist and do deserve respect. But, racist cops do exist and this particular officer has a history of racism. Another black life lost to racism.

We are used to protesters filling the streets. In the late 60s this lead to a lot of big stepping stones to equality. But, there are some stones and some bridges still missing in that path. A good portion of those anti-lockdown protesters are racist like that cop. These two protest groups are still all connected.

We are all frustrated by a lot of things right now. What they are does depend on who you ask. Here is the list.

Frustrated with racism refusing to go away
Frustrated with Covid-19 refusing to go away (so life can go back to how it was)
Frustrated with having to be careful and take extra steps
Frustrated with restrictions

That last one is actually ironic. Those anti-lockdown protesters hate having to wear gloves and masks and keep distances. They want everything open. To be free. To not have to be so careful. Because it is frustrating to have to be mindful of every action for something out of your control.

These same racists protesting lockdowns are creating restrictions for black people. Making black people have to be 100% mindful of how they look to everyone. Will someone think they are a criminal for going for a run? Is the facemask with a collage logo on it considered safe? Or, will someone find me dangerous? Is my TV too loud? Or, will someone hear Paw Patrol and think there is a real crime going on in here? Will someone claim I am harming them even if I am literally just standing here looking at a bird no where near them?

All of that is real. All of that actually happened. There is literally nothing a black person can do without being in danger of some racist with a gun assuming they are a criminal. These racists tend to forget the white terrorists that cause mass shootings.

No one should have to live like this. Last night protesters all over the country did various things to confederate monuments. Mostly graffiti but other things too. They are frustrated with the restrictions racists have put on them. I never am okay with violence. But, those things should not be treated like something to be proud of either. These monuments are lessons in what not to do.

We are frustrated, we are angry, we want to have a normal and fun summer. But, we can't have those things. Americans are protesters. More protests will continue. More businesses will open. Some of our fears, worries, and frustrations will ease.

But, Covid-19 will grow strong. It is already growing stronger in the places the opened up at the end of April. The places supporting the anti-lockdown protesters. Racism will continue. Because ancestors of slave owners don't want to admit their ancestors were bad people (whether they realize that is their true reason or not). Our problems are not going away for a long time. Possibly ever.

Personally, I never understood racism. Character is what matters, not race, gender, sexuality, religion, income, or anything else. Character. It literally is that simple. Why go out of your way to treat a stranger different simply because of their skin color? Because you do have to go out of your way to be racist. You have to think "they are black so they have to be the one to step aside for me". Why is their color what matters? You have do go through the actions of getting your gun then stalking the black person just to kill a stranger. You aren't protecting anyone. Just feeding your racism.

Racist police officers? Why isn't there more training? Why isn't there reprimands for repeated incidences of excessive force or harassment towards people of color and other minorities? Why aren't they fired after a lot of reports of this behavior?

They make the good, non-racists cops look bad. Law enforcement has a low approval rating. But, it shouldn't. Because that rating is based on the racist cops, not the many cops who are not racist. I have seen black people in my town being pulled over. No weapons are drown, still in the car, looking like it does when white people are pulled over. Literally. That makes me proud. Because my town invests in community outreach. Racism is not accepted in our small town. Behavior draws response, not skin color.

Through the smoke of the Floyd protests we might get a new President that adds stones to that path to equality. I hope so. Through the anger of lockdowns we find more Covid-19 infections (including some body bags in our future). The Floyd protests are an important and necessary cause. The lockdown protests are really selfish stupidity that will lead to a lot more harm then good.

What will the next pretest be? Worthy like Floyd or Unworthy like the lockdown protests? Americans are frustrated and angry. So, we protest life. I just hate that the lockdown protesters won and the Floyd protesters are getting nowhere. It should be the other way around.