1/ I think there are many reasons to feel that this is a historical moment--which it is.
What makes it different?
First: the convergence of multiple crises, one on top of the other, and they ways that they all spread trauma.
What makes it different?
First: the convergence of multiple crises, one on top of the other, and they ways that they all spread trauma.
2/ Second -- the power of the mix of cell phones cameras and social media and a population hyper-plugged in to the news as it's unfolding, because of their ongoing fear and anxiety about what comes next.
3/ Third--much of the world is experiencing a crisis of democracy. The blatant nature of what the world witnessed--thru the power-blend of technologies--touches on that nerve in a supremely powerful way.
And the way to respond to a now-perceived crisis of democracy?
Protest.
And the way to respond to a now-perceived crisis of democracy?
Protest.
4/ Fourth -- the pandemic has connected the world in an unavoidable way, through the vector of disease. So people are more attuned than they typically are to events in other countries.
5/ The extreme nature of this administration has been a pressure-cooker of tensions, emotions, anger, fears. That alone would have an impact. But when people experiencing those emotions largely confine themselves to their homes?
Boom.
Boom.
6/ Sixth, there's been a series of moments when racial biases & white supremacy have CLEARLY been on the table--guiding events--& that fact has been aggressively denied.
The fact that we could see this crime as it happened--& the nonchalance of the policeman committing it?
Boom
The fact that we could see this crime as it happened--& the nonchalance of the policeman committing it?
Boom
7/ We're in the midst of an enormous power struggle between the state, the wealthiest 1%, and the populace. The populace -- the vast majority -- have been shunted to the side and silenced in that struggle.
They're angry.
They see injustices.
And then they saw this one.
Boom.
They're angry.
They see injustices.
And then they saw this one.
Boom.
8/ We're approaching a vitally important presidential election--mere months away--when fundamental aspects of our nation's heart & soul are in the balance.
And the outcome is entirely unclear--in part because it's unclear whether constitutional & electoral rules will be followed
And the outcome is entirely unclear--in part because it's unclear whether constitutional & electoral rules will be followed
9/ The nation is confronting the possibility of change--possibly transformational change--in ways both good and bad.
Times of upset sometimes lead to reform, more voices heard, more diverse voices heard, less injustice.
There's some hope.
But there are also MANY fears & threats
Times of upset sometimes lead to reform, more voices heard, more diverse voices heard, less injustice.
There's some hope.
But there are also MANY fears & threats
This is hardly a complete list.
FAR from it.
There are many reasons for many different kinds of people to be feeling outrage.
Outrage is leading to protest.
Protest may lead to positive action.
...if we push for it.
FAR from it.
There are many reasons for many different kinds of people to be feeling outrage.
Outrage is leading to protest.
Protest may lead to positive action.
...if we push for it.
