I have been watching the coverage of the protests against the “stay at home” orders across the country. Strange.
I see displays of white privilege. I see entitled white guys in battle armor, lovingly caressing their long guns in public displays of intimidation. I see signs demanding the death of public figures who oppose them. I see terrorists ready to overthrow the elected government. I see Nazi and Confederate flags. They are very good people, according to Republican leaders including the President. I thought we had a policy of not negotiating with terrorists, of not giving aid and comfort to traitors.
I don’t see heavily armed riot police and National Guardsmen. I don’t see tear gas, batons, and water cannons. I know that they exist, because I’ve seen them used frequently on peaceful, unarmed protestors. I have seen brutality against minorities complaining about real oppression, loss of rights, and even the death of people in their communities.
This fundamental division is what upsets me the most. But wait, there is more!
I see some people demanding to go to work, wondering how they will make ends meet. I get that, especially when the so-called measures to help them seem to be gobbled up by rich corporations or screwed up by incompetent, overwhelmed or in some cases purposely designed malevolent systems that keep aid from reaching the people who need it most. Where are the angry protestors demanding that the government act competently?
Mostly, I see others who just want to come out and play. On the beaches. In casinos. Because a political party, their leaders, and an entire “news” network is telling them that this is not really serious — it’s just the flu. We will all pay for that. Will get a second wave, even before the first wave is completed. And an inevitable third wave. We will probably blow through the 1000,000 death mark before the month is out. Where are the protestors demanding that the President and the whole might of the federal government just do their jobs?
I see people being ordered back to work at the risk of their lives, without any provision for their protection and under the threat of loosing their jobs, while preparations are being made to protect their employers from any liability or safe workplace regulation whatsoever. Where are the angry, armed protestors refusing to put their lives, their family’s lives on the line for somebody else’s hamburger?