What Is Even Going On?! - COVID-19 and Racism!
Heyo Beautiful Humans,
I cannot help but write about the current status of the United States of America and this unprecedented time we find ourselves living in. It is a terrifying time, a humbling time, a time of community, a time of economic reflection, a time of outrage, and a moment to be remembered in history. COVID-19 and oppressive racism are destructive ingredients to mix into a singular cocktail.
The tail of COVID-19, as we all know, took THE WORLD by surprise. Originating in China, it began as a foreign problem that was easier out of sight and out of mind. As the contagion was announced uncontainable, it made quick work of finding its way into every continent on the globe. Suddenly it was a very real and scary issue that all of humankind (and maybe a tiger or two) was familiar with. In this way, it was very humbling. COVID-19 did not discriminate between race, time zones, language, borders, culture, etc. Everyone understood the fear of illness, fear for their at risk loved ones, the monotonous drab of quarantine, and the unshakable feeling of societal abnormality.
Multiple communities were now faced with the reality that their older and immunocompromised populous had a very easily spread death sentence lingering in the air. It was not about the majority fortunate enough to have their health. When the stakes were a mild flu for most or death for some, we stepped up as a people. For a while, I was very proud to exist within a state that was taking this group very seriously. For a while we knew everyone was standing in it together, that everyone mattered, and that at risk folks would be safer because of a collective effort… until Wisconsin got tired of the inconvenience, the boredom, and opened everything back up. It was good while it lasted… so we stand witness to a continued COVID-19 climb. This doesn’t even begin to touch on, however, the economic impact of our battle strategies to conquer the, “Invisible enemy.”
COVID-19 has been a looking glass in which to view the USA’s governmental faults and weak-points of social infrastructure. Our work-from-home initiatives only worked for the economically privileged, and abandoned those without wealth. A low pay essential worker is compensated with the title hero, and a waitress, hair stylist, bar keep, etc. are up a creek without a paddle. They bear a disproportionate weight of the early effort sacrifice. These efforts were put into place because our healthcare system was overrun with patients. The demand exceeded the ability to comply with the need, so instead of a stronger system we tossed all those standing on the other side of the money gap into the chasm. Force the masses to struggle, and there will come consequences.
This brings us to the rioting. Tensions are high, and people cannot take much more intolerance. The murder of George Flyod is a truly heartbreaking event. If it weren’t cruel enough that his life was taken from him, it was done so by the police. It is a dark day when we cannot trust our authority, put into place to protect. Minneapolis is a diverse and beautiful city that celebrates so many forms of progressivism. Watching the video captured of George Flyod’s assault, I’m pained to watch his abuse, and warmed to know that passerby strangers came to fight for him. I am saddened yet again to realize that this story is simply one that got media traction, and that there are so many more that happen regularly that no one sees. I understand the outrage that people feel; rightfully so.
Racial inequality has been a struggle in America for longer than comfortable to admit. I recall at university in 2014, a drawing class did an art installation of ribbons they had drawn from observation to represent all of the African American lives that had been lost specifically to police brutality. It was an overwhelming number then, and It’s too large a number now. In six years I wish there has been more progress made, but there obviously has been little to no change. This leads me to wonder how people bring about change in society.
Is violence the answer to change? It is true that most of our technological advances in society were created for the purpose of war and later adapted for other purposes. It is true that even our country was founded through the revolutionary war that began with rioting. Is humankind doomed to create change through violence? Can we do better without the sacrifice? How many more people need to be harmed trying to spread a message of equality for all?
In this situation, and with the message America is fighting for, we cannot reprimand violence with violence. Such a notion only begets hypocrisy. No one deserves to be scorned, hurt, judged by the color of their skin. All lives matter, and the Black Lives Matter movement is an incredible place to start in correcting the wrong with our society if done the correct way. I had wanted to write a post about the arts. I wanted to say how it is something to be valued, not tossed aside as unessential, but how can we even begin to understand its value when we are fighting for basic things like equality and care? Lead by example. A better world starts with community, empathy, and equality. Let’s kill two birds with one stone (COVID-19 and Racism). Stay strong America. Fight for those that need our support without burning the house down and/or aiding the spread within a pandemic. How will you, dear reader, aid in change during this Blackout Tuesday?