The New Civil Rights Era
If we are to win then this is how
In the immortal words of Dr.Martin Luther King, "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere." We live in a time, where police brutality is ever-present in our communities. Most people are wondering if they will ever feel safe in their community again and if their children will survive. We cannot demonized officers and we should advocate for their education because knowledge is power and accountability. However, the news shows a constant reminder that minorities are not entirely free when the enforcement of the law is unjust. When the people of the community cannot hold accountable fellow officers for unjust acts, this is a weakness in democracy. The point of a democracy is everybody contributed, everybody matters, and everybody has rights. We must work together or we will fail. Too many countless victims from incidents that required less force. What do we do in a crisis like this? Where do we turn in what seems like a race war? "Be the peace you want in the world," proclaimed Gandhi. The protest must be peaceful as activists must foster new legislation with those that hear the people's demands. We have to use the tools and foundations of the Civil Rights Era resisting weapons and rioting. If there's one thing that prevents justice then it is rioting because it causes a force against bringing peace, we must understand and fix the justice system. We have to denounce racial profiling. We cannot judge someone based on the color of their skin and what others did who are apart of that race. If we are to win this new Civil Rights then we must fight all "ism" dividing us. We must stand up for the poor who doesn't have housing and healthcare. We must stand up for women, who received their rights a hundred years before and now maybe force to have children without consent. We must fight for all to choose who they love and to be what they desire to be because it is every one of our birthrights. We can make it possible to live in a world, where we will be fully and duly protected from hate. Hate should never be lifted, never given a place in society otherwise it will evoke chaos. For decades, oppression has been instilled into our communities and now it must be confronted by justice. You can break the chains of bondage,you can tell someone they are free, and you can proclaimed liberty but if their minds are bound and they are given no tools of that liberty then they are bound and not free. It is time that we free everybody living in peace with one another. Love is the greatest weapon for peace and proof of that love is hope in each other that this nation can be a better place. All this plays into the bigger picture, a better democracy, and hope for the future. We must show the children how to survive, not teaching them ignorance and blind obedience but civility and nobleness. In the fulfillment of Dr.King's dream, we must take the evil in this world which robs us of life and turn it into good that gives everlasting peace. One day police officers will be looked again as heroes and heroines. One day all children will be allowed to live freely and equally. One day people will remember to love always and never hate but it's going to take all of us to win this fight, every last ounce of strength and we shall overcome.
About the Creator
Matthew Primous
I am a Black Scholar, International Scholar, & Google Scholar, & 3-Time Eber & Wein Best Poet., Nominee for Poet of the Year, 2020 Black Author Matters Winner, 2 time Akademia Excellence Essayists,& 2022 Honorary Muckrack Journalist.
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More stories from Matthew Primous and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
The Anthem-Star Spangled Banner
It's the battle cry of the republic. It's the symbol of patriotism. It's the hope and prays of the union to continue as one under God. Yet at one time it symbolism did not always mean free. The song creator did not always believe in his words that expressed the American ambition to always stay free. History has revealed the many flaws of our past and now we have to reconcile the wrong. Women and minorities did not have the say or right to think freely and this song of patriotism was born under that era. For many decades, this song was held dearly by former slaves and people without a right. It is up to us the next generation to understand our history and use what we know for good. We must adopt the words and apply them to our own lives and live our the true meaning of its creed. And now it is debatable to honor the words of a slaveholder. America can honor his gifted poetry which got many Americans thinking about freeing their slaves and denounce his livelihood which agrees with slavery. We must face the contradictions and break their trance on American society realizing that they have stained our past. We must break down the song that confronted America's transgressions. America must try to redeem its past and focus on a more equal future among the races. Children have learned these verses without understanding them. Children in belief in the betterment of their country proclaimed those verses as if they were written by God and in stone never to be changed. Our children must be told the truth and they must accept what their ancestors went through and know their place in the history of America. Education must teach the harsh truths of history so America can be better and learn from the mistakes of the past. Thus, America will not repeat the past's sins and emerge as a nation of unity and not division. Immigrants have come to our country believing that they too can become a part of the American Dream. Their truest desire to become a part of a nation where they could fight for it and dream along with it. We must end the attack on immigrants for this nation was made from them. We must welcome all who find our creed noble and our power divine. America is privileged to lead the world and we did not exactly earn it. Every life is precious to building up our nation and the protection of our borders. We must end the ridicule of immigrants because they are a part of America, we hope for. Soldiers have died with these words of the songs fighting endlessly in war and never seeing lasting peace. This song made it the American Way to fight for peace, "the bombs bursting in the air." We must end the idea that peace can only be accomplished through war. War is devastating and traumatizing. We must end the glorification of war. Generations have been lost at war, nations have been divided because of war. Peaceful diplomacy will save our union, not destructive ambitions. Silent soldiers with tears down their eyes hoping for a day without a battle and they secretly resist. We must find a way to bridge all these gaps in knowledge. We must put the song in perspective orchestrating the peace that can last a lifetime. May we never forget what our freedoms and rights are and never think too highly of ourselves preserving the union for ages to come. We forgot we maybe forged out of war and wars do that but we do not have to remain at war with others and ourselves.
By Matthew Primous4 years ago in The Swamp
Iran and Israel: Dangerous Game.
Israel and Iran have been locked in a deadly duel for decades. Ever since Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979, both nations have been at loggerheads. Israel did help Iran briefly, in the First Gulf War of 1980 - 1981. Iraq was a common enemy of Israel and Iran. Israel helped the Iranians with weapons. Sadly, that moment in history is a blip in an otherwise confrontational relationship.
By Nicholas Bishop7 days ago in The Swamp
Whispering Woods Challenge Winners
Congratulations to Morgan Christy Rickards for their winning Whispering Woods story, Guardian at the Gate. Morgan has been a Vocal creator since February 2021, and this is their first time placing in Challenge — well done, starting with a win! Guardian at the Gate draws evocatively from Welsh tales of the Cantre'r Gwaelod, a lost sunken kingdom between the forest and the sea. Heledd’s dangerous adventure pulls her towards the water but her spirit is anchored in the woods: Morgan’s writing is atmospheric and exciting.
By Vocal Curation Team7 days ago in Resources
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