Our country feels a lot smaller to me lately. It feels like events that should be more distant in some ways are all connected. The resistance of some to the removal of monuments to racists or genocidal monsters confuses me. Some act as if these men were angelic or revered when really the statues were erected decades or centuries after they died to pay homage to the nastiest of their legacies (Columbus and genocide as “discovering” or NB Forrest as “heritage.”)
We are witnessing the bursting of centuries of oppression as a breakthrough in coexistence. “Stop glorifying oppressors” is the real message for these relics when saying Black Lives Matter. And in my opinion it’s not really that big a request. Seems quite reasonable to me. I’m more confused by why the most vitriolic among us are so committed to some pieces of marble and bronze. Why does this matter?
We are in a smaller space than we thought. We all need to learn a new way of living together that provides equality AND equity. If that means tearing down all the statues of old white dudes who made all or part of their fame and/or fortunes on the backs of the oppressed, tear them the fuck down! We are cohabitating. I get that for white folks like myself that is a bit of a new concept. So if you are white like me now is a good time to stop being such a shitty roommate.
Beta Testing Adulthood 