What My Kids Will Read in Their History Books

I am the new crazy, conspiring Uncle Bill

As I write this piece, CNN covers a mob of millennials rioting outside the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. What I once read in history books or saw in documentaries covering historic civil revolts, I know witness in my day and age. Flashbangs and tear gas engulf the crowds on our TV screen in my Arizona living room. The rioters wear masks as they throw up a middle finger and dance provocatively egging on the police officers trying to keep the building safe. The initial instigation of the riots is now but a shadow following their true reason.

With a tremor in his tone, the CNN field anchor comments, “There is no mention of George Floyd’s name…This message has taken a violent turn”.

Shoot to another frame, the agitated crowds of Atlanta chant, “No Justice! No Peace!”.

Claiming the destruction of cities is the only way to achieve peace corresponds to killing lions to save zebras. Some say these actions are valid because of their foundational pursuit for justice. I went through several law classes emphasizing the importance of justice, and none of them mentioned the right response to unjust acts is more unjust acts. News anchors applaud the protesters’ noble pursuit. There’s the real danger, right now.

Our biggest fear should be the media shoving our focus away from objective truth. The contradictions, paradoxes, and oxymorons abundant on the news, social media, and elsewhere blind us to the hardcore facts. By adding flowery words and a heartfelt story, anything can be made to be seen as good. Check your lens, folks. Now more than ever the individual needs to be the investigative journalist not just the informed.

I used to envy my parents for witnessing, and even participating in, the protests, rallies, and revolts in the 1960s. As I watch live images of vehicles burning and citizens hopping out of broken windows post-looting the business, the thought rolls into my head, “This is just the beginning”. After doing the math, I came to the conclusion that my experiences regarding social unrest are triple what my parents experienced.

I was not alive during the pivotal movements of the 60s. Maybe my history teachers missed something that would make me think otherwise, but I never read of citizens defacing their local businesses hoping to bring peace and justice. I don’t doubt there was violence during that time, but the day of peaceful protest that MLK encouraged is dying.

Citizens aiming to instigate change and make a difference erase all logic or strategy, and act on random emotions. The only intention remaining behind these demonstrations is the conspiring of them by who knows who.

Conspiracy seems irrational and brought about by paranoia. It is something that my 78-year-old estranged Uncle Bill would talk about at holiday family gatherings. Now, Uncle Bill’s comments on the financing, strategy, and motivation behind events like this don’t sound outlandish.

The anchor continues stating they are only here to tell the story: “See it for what it is…Don’t try to make something it isn’t”. Well, seeing just the tip of the iceberg does not give insight into what is below the surface.