Strange Times

Summary

The web content reflects on the recurring issue of racial injustice in the United States, emphasizing the need for societal change in the wake of recent events, such as the death of George Floyd.

Abstract

The article "Strange Times" discusses the persistent problem of racial injustice in America, highlighted by the killing of George Floyd, which echoes past incidents like the deaths of Rodney King and Eric Garner. It underscores the failure to learn from history, questioning the collective moral consciousness that allows such tragedies to repeat. The author, Joe Luca, calls for an end to the cycle of violence and hate, advocating for love and understanding to drive out darkness. He emphasizes the importance of change, suggesting that the current state of affairs is a man-made construct that requires a conscious shift in societal attitudes and acceptance to overcome.

Opinions

The author believes that the repeated instances of racial injustice indicate a failure to learn from past mistakes and an urgent need for societal change.
There is a sense of frustration and disbelief that despite historical lessons and powerful messages from civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., the same issues persist.
The article suggests that the collective inaction and silence in the face of injustice is a form of madness, expecting different outcomes while perpetuating the same behaviors.
The author implies that the prolonged period of eight minutes and 46 seconds, during which George Floyd suffered, reflects a deep-seated racial bias and a lack of basic human empathy.
The piece calls for self-reflection and accountability, urging society to move beyond excuses and to embrace compassion and acceptance as the first steps toward meaningful change.
It is argued that the current state of "Strange Times" is not a natural occurrence but a result of human actions and therefore can be changed by human decision and effort.

Strange Times

They need to Change

Courtesy of Pixabay — Myriams-Fotos

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King

Protesters in the streets. Buildings on fire in LA. And an overwhelming sense of Déjà vu is falling on the city like a chemical mist over a field of strawberries. I thought we learned with Rodney King. I thought we learned with Eric Garner. I thought we learned at least a little, every time a black man died simply for being who he was.

Isn’t this how it is supposed to be? We do something stupid, and then we agonize over it for at least a few minutes. Question our morals, our upbringing, our eyesight. Then we turned inward and think of how we’ll change and promise that we will. Isn’t that what learning is all about? Changing, when what’s been done year after year, isn’t working anymore. Re-thinking, when the same old thoughts keep getting us into the same old problems. Isn’t that what they say madness is — doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result? Like sticking a wet finger into a socket and thinking good things will come of it?

Didn’t we get this lesson back in the day, whenever that day was, when common sense was being handed out in the auditorium between classes. When the principle stood up at the podium and talked about free speech and “civil” rights and how we should all get along. Or in the classrooms when talking of the tragedies of the Civil War; the death and destruction. The Reconstruction. The new freedoms for all. The loss of them. Fire hoses and biting dogs. Martin Luther King and the words that rang out from the mountain top and should have fucking been heard by one and all.

Weren’t they loud enough? Weren’t they clear enough? Didn’t we let the message seep in slowly in the decades since? Not too fast that we might miss the plea for peace and understanding. I heard it. I know I heard it, though I’ve had my doubts in the years since.

Eight minutes and 46 second is a long time. Think eight minutes and 46 seconds waiting for the lifeguard to reach you before you drown. Think eight minutes and 46 seconds before the firemen can put out the flames surrounding you. Think eight minutes and 46 seconds before the doctors can revive you on the operating table. It’s a lifetime. Plenty of time to think of what you’re doing. To see the reaction to it by the people all around you. To note the disagreement and fear and outrage in their voices. To feel the pressure under your knee as a man’s life is slowly extinguished. What sort of person allows eight minutes and 46 seconds of this to go through their mind before acting to stop it?

Is this the act of one man? One time? One situation? Or is this the symbol of one race’s idea of what another race deserves? Is it deeper than one knee on a man’s neck? Deeper than the deafness exhibited to cries of mercy all around one?

It’s time to stop the excuses rattling around inside the collective mind, that considers the thoughts, that reflects on the options, that remembers the past and returns the same verdict.

Strange Times like these do not occur in nature. They are created by Man. Let’s stop pretending it’s being done over there. Over there — is right here, right now. Compassion begins with acceptance. And acceptance begins whenever we decide it will. Let’s make a change, now. It’s time.

Joe Luca is writer and editor for ILLUMINATION and a published author.