So, we have had two political
conventions within the space of two weeks. We have had another
shooting by police of a Black man. We have had protests in response
and a shooting by an armed vigilante.
The two political conventions presented
two distinct visions of what our country is experiencing at this
time. In a few months it will be up to the American people to decide
which one best presents our reality and how we will proceed in the
future.
Until you actually
see the problem you won't be able to solve it. Too many people have
been looking the other way. We need to look more closely, and start
to actually see each other.
It's been some time since I've posted a
favorite movie, so since it's Saturday night I thought I might make a
suggestion. My favorite movies are usually those which are based on
real events and real people. This one is special because it depicts
the life of someone who really does embody that America that so many
people seem to be missing the point of. That America that was
supposed to stand for freedom for all people.
I just realized that for some reason the videos are not showing up on mobile devices. Blogger in their infinite wisdom changed their interface and so now that does not work. The videos included in this post are from the movie "Harriet". The first is the trailer and the second is the theme song "Stand Up".
So I am obviously not too impressed with the capabilities of the people at Blogger.
During this pandemic we have argued
over masks, reopening businesses and schools, financial assistance
for those who are unemployed and what we should in general be doing
to slow the spread of Covid-19. We have shown we can't agree.
But I would hope that there is one
thing we could agree on. That is the importance of our children.
They are our future. There was something I read in my paper today
that caused me to reflect on this. That something was the fact that
the United States, under the guidance of Donald Trump, has been
sending immigrant children back, alone, to countries they have fled
because of the danger that exists there for them.
I know there are those out there who
would argue that these children are here illegally and should be sent
back to their home countries. I would argue differently, and not
just because this practice actually runs counter to our laws. There
is a strength in compassion that Donald Trump does not understand. Those children he is deporting are someone's loved ones. But he has exhibited this lack of understanding when it
comes to the children here in the United States as well.
His push to open schools without a
nuanced plan in place to try to make it as safe as possible for both
students and teachers and his willful ignorance of the risk of this virus only shows his lack of empathy and compassion
for all of those involved.
Someone once said that children and
animals are able to sense who the good people are. I suspect that
person was right.
