No Half Measure's

As 2020 began the people of America were bombarded with the collective might of everything that had been suppressed. The government did not have any plan of action when it came to a pandemic. People were afraid and suffering which led to a spike in issues that had been easy to ignore up until then. Police brutality, racism, corruption, and able-ism all played a part in the current turmoil. If it wasn’t for social media there is a chance that there wouldn’t be any conversation, much like in the past, but that is what makes this the revolution that will change the future.

During the campaign against racism led by Martin Luther King Junior the American people saw first hand that peace was never really an option. On April 4th, 1968 peace died. It was fatally shot standing on a balcony advocating against racism. For the American people that led to a perpetual silence that couldn’t be fully broken. Every instance of racism was treated as an isolated event that couldn’t possibly be a reflection of the whole country's attitude toward black individuals, or could it?

On May 25th, 2020 George Floyd died at the hands of a police officer, Derek Chauvin. Mr. Chauvin had a record of taking out his aggression on black people that he met through his job as an officer. When this came to light an autopsy was forged and his department scrambled to cover the crime. Thankfully, a video was taken of the event and since the incident Chauvin has been arrested and charged. In a way, America owes this man a debt because this incident sparked a fire that burns on the street of almost every major city as of June 1st, 2020.

America is sick of half measures. The protests that have lasted days all had the same theme. The American people are so sick of silence that they’re breaking a world wide quarantine to riot in the streets. The responding action has been less than medicinal. Forcing silence wouldn’t work any longer.

When someone opens their Facebook they are sure to be seeing video footage of the riots in Portland, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Miami, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and even more. One would think that they’d be seeing thousands of people trashing buildings and then burning them down. Instead the footage is mostly multiple police forces collectively deciding that instead of listening to the outrage and keeping it under control they were going to try to strike down the movement by force.

Tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, batons, and even their vehicles are being used against American people who have the right to protest. That right is trying to be forced away from them, but in response Americans are rising up. They are posting, protesting, and protecting each other in a way that has barely been seen in American history before. It is a time to feel connected because either way change is coming and everyone is going to go through it together.

Other countries such as Canada and London have held events to show support for the American people that are being brutalized. The overwhelming support has fueled even more unrest as the government and police forces scramble to regain control. Between Trump releasing ridiculous statements and declaring terrorist organizations based off of personal preference, and the police senselessly attacking citizens it feels like everything is horrible.

Still, people keep going. There is more coverage every second of every day getting the truth out there. The people taking injury are being cared for over the internet with tips and helpful advice from strangers sympathetic to their fight. Protesters that are joining over time are being given ways to stay safe. Everyone is coming together to tell the people in power to #stopresisting to the #blacklivesmatter movement so that Americans as a people can become the society that they deserve. Free of corruption. Free of hate.