FINDING HOPE IN THE AFTERMATH
Needless to say, we live in dark times. 2020, the cursed year, has shown us how fragile our everyday lives can be. Who would've thought that billions of people all across the globe were going to be confined for months in an era where liberty was taken for granted in wealthy countries? Who would've believed that the USA was going to crumble under anarchy for a video showing racist police brutality? Worst of all, who would've guessed that the supposed world's strongest powerhouse was going to be led by a madman? In fact, all of the above has been displayed for years right before our eyes through art and entertainment. But when fiction becomes our reality, we find ourselves back against the wall. No writer or director can decide the outcome of the chaotic plot in which we are the actors. We have the imagination to create infinite intrigues and the cleverness to culminate them into good endings, but when the chips are down in reality, when we have to rethink the codes, the systems and the social norms, things get out of hand fast and finding solutions to the numerous crises that we're facing is far more challenging than in books, video games and movies.
The environment is very important to us. It’s composes what we live in. The air, wind, mountains, hills, plants, animals, etc. – they are all a part of our environment. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I have a board on Pinterest that has pictures of some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth. It’s my “Traveling Dreams” board. I have so many traveling goals. The different environments all over the world are precious and special and should be treated with care.
What started out as a peaceful day at the Washington monument picnicking. Ended in turmoil. I almost died. And I wasn’t even protesting. I’m traumatized. I am black in America.
When the dark murder of Ahmaud Arbery lit up every news outlet, I was scared.
I will admit it. I’m guilty of repeatedly dismissing the logic of stockpiling guns in preparation for the day when our government takes a hard turn into fascism. In recent days though, I find myself reassessing that argument. Don’t get me wrong. I have no intention of buying a gun and I still think gun regulation is still terribly lax in this country, but seeing these now daily emails from city and county governments mandating citywide curfews has me disturbed.
As a white person in today’s society I understand my privilege. I have never been afraid of what would happen to me if I was pulled over. My parents never had a conversation with me about what to say or do if I get into any kind of encounter with the police. I’ve never been minding my own business and get called a racial slur from a stranger. I’ve always felt safe in my own home. I can have a cellphone, sell CD’s, play loud music, read a book in my car, go for a walk with my grandfather, go for a run, walk home with skittles, shop at Walmart, fucking breathe. I can fucking live and it’s because I’m white.
