This is just a fly-by with a photo - saw too much hatred, vapid rage and blatant (willfully malicious, malignant, intentionally ignorant - and gleeful?) racism today over "Hands Up!" protests and the latest outbursts by the insane/ hypocritical / self-absorbed self-righteous hypocritical bigots and their proselytizing on their twisted justifications of the latest miscarriage of justice by a grand jury...
Tossed this together. Dunno what all the underlying meaning was/could be - but if folks can put it to positive use, please do.
There is nothing below the fold. OK, now there's my rant
as posted on LinkedIn on the topic.
Hands up in history, solidarity, and hope
Putting one or both of your hands up has a long history in the American Civil Rights movement. It's only fitting - and tragic - that it continues protest of the ongoing imbalances, injustices, rage and racism that continue to rock our society.
It's 2014. Fifty-four years have passed since 1960. That decade rocked with protests for civil rights. From the influence and passion of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the silent "Black Power" tribute of the 1968 Olympics and beyond, our nation underwent massive upheaval and change.
Hands were raised - hands were joined. Yes, there were some riots...and the overwhelming importance recognized and communicated from the leaders of the protests about the greater value of peaceful protest. The Million Man March of 1995...downplayed by some in the media, but amazing nonetheless. Amazing in spite of that. Perhaps even because of the perceived attempts at minimalization.
There are more - incidents, accidents, protests, events. The problems addressed don't go away - at least, they haven't. They can, but that takes cooperation, dedication, and commitment from all sides - not just the protesters. Not simply through token words and actions by politicians or other officious "leaders" - actual actions, real gestures, coordinated and in conjunction with reality and void the poisoned well of hyper-partisanship and willful ignorance, intentionally misinformed, malicious and malignant clinging to bumper-sticker talking points.
If you're getting tired of the protests, fight for civil equality.
Fight for the right to equal justice under the law.
Fight racism.
Because until those problems are solved, as long as those rights, those freedoms, and justice for all are goals and not victories, the protests will continue. As they should.
As they must.