I had something else planned for my second entry, but the climate is too loud and I feel it would be a missed opportunity to talk about anything other than what’s going on. 

What’s going on, is that people are very frustrated and have reached a breaking point. There are protests and unrest in the U.S, lit by the name George Floyd, with years and years of being told that progress will have to wait being used as the coal that will burn in this time of palpable dilapidation. . 

I don’t want to call myself an anarchist, because I very much believe in the potential of a working and healthy society. But there’s only so much duct tape you can put on a ruined machine. Sometimes, it is for the best to simply dispose of the machine and start anew, so we can build up without falling into the same faults of our system. 

With that being said. As writer’s especially, it’s important to look at this situation from an objective and grounded perspective. Not because it’s important to be realistic in our writings, but because it’s important to understand what it is we’re engaging with. If you write about the soft, subtle nature of The Bronx, people from The Bronx would probably know you’re full of shit and not trust any of what you’re writing anymore. 

Or, maybe those from The Bronx that are reading this now think I’m full of shit, because there is something soft and subtle about their home. I wouldn’t know, I don’t live in The Bronx. 

Anyways. What I wanted to talk about was how this situation, although very agreeable and long overdo, should be looked at truthfully and as it is. 

There is still a very dangerous virus out there right now, and every single person who’s protesting, can be contributing to the spread of this virus that we have been on lockdown for. Although its purpose is noble, it feels difficult for me to muster significant support in its favor, due to the nature of the air and surfaces around us. 

Through these conflictions, it’s important to work at and understand where we stand with the world at large. I don’t know exactly where I stand, but I know that there is a lot to be concerned about right now. And now, more than ever in these trying and uncertain times, maybe it’s right to be as productive as possible and make a change. Since our times are so unsteady, the dynamics of our society are constantly shifting. Since we are already in such a period of shifting, perhaps this is truly the best time to make demands and stand up for what we all know is right. And I think everyone reading this knows that being held accountable and regaining the trust of the very people that you are designed to protect, is certainly right. 

I know it’s past the time where we should ensure that all people are treated equally and feel safe. But, as we continue down this path, and hopefully make some significant progress, it is important to stay grounded in reality and ask ourselves,

What Next?

As in. What are these demonstrations aiming to accomplish, exactly? I know we are unhappy, but what changes will come from this? 

The iron is burning right now, and we can shape it anyway we want if we keep it burning. It’s important to make changes in the very structure of the system. Not just more accountability, but better preparation and stricter requirements in order to become the protectors of the present tense. Trigger-happy power-freaks should not be the people wearing blue uniforms. The people in uniform need to be strong, confident yet humble and reasonable. They need to have empathy and understanding, and they need to listen to the present tense that they serve and protect. That includes its people, laws, regulations and culture. It takes years and years to become a lawyer, but significantly less time to become a police officer and enforce the very law that lawyer’s take years to practice. There is a lot more to it than the simplification here, but its concept is true, and it is difficult not to feel like there is significant misalignment. 

In conclusion. We should look at this situation from a reasonable level and understand what matters, and its consequences and what our goal should be. If you believe the goal aligns with what these demonstrations can accomplish, even through the trouble that will arise from congregating at this point. Then, we should not only go through with it, but document it. These are such special times, and although these wounds aren’t fresh, but rather festering and untreated for far too long, we can capture something special and profound if we take the time to find it. May it be through our writings, paintings, or photographs. This is the time to express ourselves.

Parting words. The worst thing we can do right now is run in headfirst without consideration and make things worse. Looters and haters just make these demonstrations have less credibility. Please. Stay safe and do the right thing. Whatever that will be.