Revolutions Aren’t Pretty

You say you want a revolution
I don’t think it means what you want it to mean.
You want:

quiet
meek
and demure

But let me tell you something.

When it comes, it won’t fit in your box.
It isn’t breakfast diner eggs made to order

Revolutions are:

loud
messy
and the voice of the broken.

Feel the anguish in the devouring flames.
Hear the despair in the rally cry.
See their vision for stronger tomorrow.

Neutrality is lethal and.
silence strangles.

A revolution is coming, so you better gear up because
it’s not gonna be fucking pretty.

I’ve been fortunate to have most of my social media connections be united in outrage about the murder of George Floyd. In fact, I cannot recall a time when I have seen so much unity not just within our country, but throughout the world. However, like many things, the unity was only fleeting as it crumbled under the weight of anguish, despair, and deafness.

The protests are absolutely warranted. I am not normally one to agree with violence and destruction, but my mind began to change once I saw the pressure led to the arrest of Derek Chauvin. I’m still not sold on cities being devoured in fire and chaos in the midst of a recession. However, peaceful protests aren’t working and more forceful pressure is needed.

People of color and other unheard minorities are fed the fuck up. Their frustration has boiled over and the fire in their hearts now spreads through our cities. If you’ve never become so angry you want to throw something or break something, consider yourself lucky. I definitely have more bark than bite and generally don’t engage in confrontation if I think it will escalate physically. Really, I just like to run my mouth–my partner calls me a chihuahua, but have on occasion lost my cool and broken things in the midst of a tantrum. And those tantrums are nothing compared to the injustices people of color have witnessed & suffered.

A revolution has been long overdue. There are enough good police officers out there, but too scared to do or say anything about the pervasive bigotry within their profession it makes the lot of them look bad. This is how movements like ACAB (All Cops Are Bad) start. If you don’t take a stand for the silenced and disadvantaged, you’re by default siding with bigotry.

It’s 2020 and we are still fighting for people, all people, to be visible. Regardless of what you believe in, people have been around long enough that we should be past this argument. If your beliefs tell you that someone isn’t a person or needs commended because they don’t check boxes XYZ, you need new beliefs. Period.

We are at another pivotal moment in history where we can make impactful change. Are you going to continue to marginalize the voiceless, telling them how to exist or how to fight for a voice and visibility? Or are you going to say enough is enough, everyone deserves to be seen & heard and do your part to stand up for what is right?

I don’t have the answer to nonviolent yet forceful way to enact change. I wish I did. I wouldn’t have to see stories of horses getting hit with bricks or children getting maced.

On that note, I understand everyone needs to take a stand & children learn from what they see, but why are children at these protests? There has been enough evidence the last week that the chances for retaliatory action is probable. Why even put them at risk? I don’t want kids, hell I barely like most children but I still don’t want to see children getting maced or tear gas thrown on them.

I want to say I understand, but I don’t. Even with people of color in my family (whom I worry for now more than ever; especially my uncle and male cousin) I will never fully comprehend the marginalization they’ve endured simply because of genetics. I empathize because I understand what it’s like to be judged, but racism runs deeper than just simple judgement and that I will never understand.

People of color and all unheard minorities, this is my pledge to you. However you need support whether behind you, beside you, or in spirit you have my solidarity. I want us to find a way to enact the change you all desperately deserve and are owed. I aim to be better at speaking out on your behalf when I witness injustice. I cannot promise a permanent change overnight, but I can promise to be more thoughtful and cognizant of my privilege and to use it to amplify the voice that has been stolen from you.