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This period certainly seems to be the “days-of-change.” Powerful protests for BLM continue (Day 12) and are maturing with large, ethnically diverse, and more peaceful crowds. These demonstrations against injustice and racial bias are happening not only nationally but globally as well. Hopefully, some real changes will come from this, and also hopefully people will remember voting in 2020 can make for some real changes in the future direction of this country. Racist and racism will continue to exist in the foreseeable future but we can lessen the impact and the scope of its power. The 2020 elections are an opportunity to voice loud and clear, racism is not acceptable in any form, and those who stand by and say nothing are guilty as well and need to be gone! I’m hopeful for a better future for the next generations. (There’s a lotta hope in this paragraph. :-) )
Meanwhile, in the news background, the COVID-19 pandemic continues with 110,000 reported/related deaths in the U.S. No one can say for sure what the results of the recent crowded protests and the continuing reopening of the economy will be in terms of new coronavirus cases and deaths. However, it seems people are feeling and acting upon greater needs whether it be to raise their voice in protest or to get out and do something more “normal.”
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Yesterday was a day the temperature reached the lower 90’s (ºF) and a section of the Catawba River which runs along Westminster Park in South Carolina was crowded with groups of rafters riding the river currents. While almost none of them seemed to be wearing face covers most were six feet apart, outside, and in the sun and breeze so it would be hard to find any fault with their actions. Of course, we didn’t view the loading/unloading process but the benefits, both physical and mental, were probably worth the coronavirus risk. Just watching them drift by certainly raised our spirits.
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There is a point where you have to decide if living means just drawing breath and keeping your heart beating. In this house, those discussions are becoming more relevant for us as each day passes. Of course, we continue to be careful about COVID-19 but are venturing out more. Being in our mid to late sixties it’s difficult to judge what’s an acceptable risk since even the experts seem to be unsure. It’s a call where each person’s acceptable risks may be determined by their age and health conditions. It’s especially difficult since just one mistake, one random encounter could mean death, or not. But I guess that’s true to a certain extent anytime. Each time we step off the curb to cross a street we could be struck by a car but at least you can see cars. This is just kinda where our minds and thoughts are at the moment.
Yes, the water in the above photos was greenish. We’ve had a lot of rain and runoff recently so alone with the high temperatures I’m thinking the algae growth levels are pretty high making it look green. But I’ve not heard any health risk warnings yet…just another thing that might be trying to kill us. ;-)
I have been wondering when people will generally just say “f-it” on the whole social distancing and mask wearing deal. Heck, we have neighbors that have had weekend parties since April!
We did walk for George Floyd and all the others yesterday. It seemed like nearly everyone was wearing masks, which is impressive considering 7000 people marched down a major parkway. But distancing was tough, no matter how we tried.
There definitely seems to be a limit of what and how long people, especially younger adults, are willing to sacrifice because of the COVID-19 threat. Perhaps that’s due in part to this virus being more deadly to the older and more vulnerable population and also a fair percentage of cases are even asymptomatic. There are still restrictions and business closings here in NC but a few miles south of us in SC everything’s open. I hear one of our neighbors saying just the other day they spent the day in “SC where there’s no COVID.” No restrictions=no COVID, to their mind I guess.
It’s great you guys were walking for BLM. I imagine that was a very moving experience. It’s something we’ve discussed doing but haven’t yet because of COVID-19.
I hear you – it was (still is) a concern of ours. But let me tell you, walking with all these people, hearing and yelling the names of these people out loud – was just… don’t even have the language skills to describe it other than powerful. Tears came to your eyes thinking about how far human beings have to go and how senseless it is that the lives of these people and their families are just destroyed. Over what?
Then I get caught up in reading the local posts about it, and the social media comments just disgust me to no end. Then to find out people in my own family have bad attitudes (at best) about it.
I do try to remind myself that social media is not reflective of the world at large. I intellectually know that. But it has become the town square of the modern era, the local bar where everyone goes. Yet it is manipulated by the keepers to keep that fire burning as long as possible, to serve more and more ads.
I don’t have many answers. I see the problems. It is frustrating in not knowing how to bridge that divide.
I’ve noticed certain friends and family go suspiciously quiet when I post, publish, or speak about certain subjects. They probably intend to be polite but their consistent silence speaks volumes. It’s like the sign, “White silence is violence.” I truly understand the meaning of that now…sadly prior to this, I may not have fully comprehended it.
Yeah, Social Media tends to make some people both brave and foolish…a dangerous combination. Some individuals tend to state positions and say things they probably wouldn’t in person. Perhaps it is like the local bar! :-)
We all have much to learn and change.
Some powerful thoughts in this post. I think as a country (I’m hoping anyway) we may have come to a tipping point when it comes to systemic racism. I’m not naive enough to think it will be eliminated in the near future (or ever) but I am hopeful enough to think that something will be done to at least move things in the right direction. A start. A very very late start.
I agree with Mark about social media. I am FB friends with a good number of people I’ve never met (friends through photography pages etc) and some people who I do know in ‘real life’ but I may know them from work etc and are not really friends in the literal sense whose posts I am appalled by. Sometimes I wonder if they really know what they are saying or implying (particularly the ones I actually know from work). I think social media has a tendency to allow people to release things that they wouldn’t say face to face (but maybe reveal their true feelings) and a lot of what I see disgusts me. On the other hand perhaps without social media we wouldn’t have seen Floyd’s lynching (there really is no other word) while subdued in handcuffs. And perhaps the protests wouldn’t be as organized and thus able to send as strong a message. So it must have it’s good side as well.
Come to think of it maybe seeing the real feelings of people you know is a good thing. Than there is that darn election meddling though. Speaking of that, I fear a coming constitutional crisis when our president fans and stokes his base after losing and claims the election was rigged. After all if he loses it must have been rigged. The only thing worse than that would be if he actually won. Ok I’ll stay away from politics.
This should be a tipping point in addressing systemic racism but I’ve been around long enough to retain some skepticism. Especially since at the moment, we have a President who is trying to appear strong by being Mr. “Law and Order” and a GOP that for the most part is conspicuously silent. If this was about injustice waged against the rich and powerful there would already have been at least two Executive Orders and a Senate Bill approved. I’m not sure this coming election can be separated from any real movement and countermeasures against systemic racism. We definitely need fresh blood and leadership not only at federal but at state and local levels to address racism as well as other very important issues such as climate change and the environment.
I think you’ve probably called it right on Trump’s reaction when he loses the election. But, I’ll welcome that if it’s what we have to do to be rid of him.
As you and Mark both pointed out, Social Media has its good and bad elements. Perhaps it’s laziness on my part, but I’m at the point where I quickly unfriend and block those who totally disgust me. I just don’t have the energy to deal with them and I keep thinking of a quote I have on my ‘Notes to myself’ page: “Respect yourself enough to walk away from ANYTHING or ANYONE which no longer serves you, grows you or makes you HAPPY” — Unknown.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Howard. Lots to think about and I appreciate it. Have a good week!
Yes, I suspect you are right and some good philosophy there as well. A good week to you too!
I just added your “Respect …” quote to my list too! Thanks!!
I have noticed the “white silence” amongst family members and friends too. I get that it is a difficult subject – and why so many stay away from “religion and politics” in face-to-face discussions – or don’t want confrontation. But it is an excuse. I would much rather people did not hide behind masks (or er… “white hoods”) in such cases so I can truly know if this is a toxic person I shouldn’t spend time with.
Well, here is my two cents worth. I’ve been off FB for several years and really don’t miss it. I moved to twitter, still a social network, but feel it’s not as off-the-wall for me. Could be I’m more selective.
Voting is important for people to utilize, and one I failed to do for many years because I believed the lie that my vote would not make a difference. Our world does seem to be in turmoil, going through growth pains, suffering that leads to change. I hope it’s all for a positive change. I even want to see us more connected to nature, more time away from television, computers, and smartphones. Even, my 91 year old father has stopped his television service due to frustration and he’s a staunch Republican.
There are many societal issues that really need changed. I know some can be done by legislation but it seems most of the change must come from someplace within each of us or legislation will not work. I’ll vote and try to live my life the best I know how.
You’re shortchanging yourself, Monte, it’s worth much more than 2 cents. I’ve considered quitting FB several times, including just a few days ago. I don’t like the policies of FB management and I don’t trust their security. So why am I staying? For the time being it’s the most convenient way for keeping in contact with remote family and friends…it’s where they are. But perhaps that’s a poor excuse.
We would probably all be better off if we could have more time and a better connection to nature. I use to think the choices were either technology or nature. But now I’m not sure it has to be an absolute either-or. I’d like to believe they are able to coexist and perhaps that in technology lies even some solutions for long-neglected environmental issues.
I agree with you, we each need to search within ourselves for change to be effective. Thanks, Monte, and I hope you have a great week.