Your observations are so accurate, especially the last paragraph. I think so many of my white fellow citizens, just don't grasp the extremes of our society, that practiced such legalized, extreme hate towards black folk here, since America's birth in 1776, until the 1960's. logic should tell anyone, that around 200 straight years of that…
Your observations are so accurate, especially the last paragraph. I think so many of my white fellow citizens, just don't grasp the extremes of our society, that practiced such legalized, extreme hate towards black folk here, since America's birth in 1776, until the 1960's. logic should tell anyone, that around 200 straight years of that type racism, including civil war, is not going to be minimized even today. There's always been backlash when we've made positive racial change. Voting rights 60's; integration 70's 80's; political empowerment 90's through today. All followed by a nasty racist backlash. DEI is the new boogeyman backlash. Reminds me of something so positive, such as integration in the70's, being turned into such a nasty, negative term.
I believe Trumps initial election was backlash following Obama's 2 term election. It continues with assaults on voting rights & DEI today. Neither of his elections surprised me, but have to admit, made me SO disappointed in people that voted for him. Same disappointment, different time. I went to school in 50's-60's, followed by military. Many, many immediate family were military, including WW2, & all way back to civil war. My relatives that came before me, are my inspiration, including my dad that fought in a segregated military in WW2. Can't let them down. They experienced much worse than I. That's why I believe black folk are some of the most patriotic Americans out there. We know this country still has some serious faults. But this is my country, just as much as any other American. Never will stop fighting to make it a more inclusive, better place.
Very discouraged? Been there, many times before. Getting tired of doing whatever I can legally, to defeat the evil administration in power now? Tired, but more determined than tired. Too many like minded, moral Americans out there. Mostly though, I can't let the Ancestors down. They're watching. lol
Well said. As someone who volunteered to wear my country's uniform, I understand your reasoning. Whilst in the Army I met many American servicemen from across your services. I found them on the whole to be decent human beings and dedicated to the service of their country. Sure there were some dickheads to, but that's just the human condition no matter what country you go to lol. Whilst I doubt any of those people are still serving (it was the 80's to early 90's), I have to hope that the discipline and love of country is still the culture in your forces, as well as the belief of those I knew that it was the American people they served, not the President. I only say that as it is plain to see Trump's administration plans to put the military on the streets of America, and your men and women in uniform may be put into a position they should never be put in. There will be decisions that need to be made, and I hope they are the right ones for the sake of your country.
In the first few weeks following Trump's 2nd inauguration I admit that I had lost faith in the American people. I had seen them elect someone who was not only a danger to your country, but dangerous to the world, and his failings and attitudes were not a secret. And for a while it seemed like Americans were ok with their decision, but the following months have shown that your fellow citizens are not ok with all that is happening. The courts are standing up & ruling against the administration, and that's even in circuits where I thought he'd win. Whether SCOTUS does the right thing when the big cases hit is an open question, but for America's sake I hope that there's at least 5 Justices who decide the Constitution means something. The people are hitting the streets in towns & cities big and small. Some organisations are standing up instead of taking the knee & they should be supported, whilst those that bend the knee should be avoided. The fight is joined and MAGA is outnumbered, the evidence seems to suggest the hard core of the cult is roughly 20-30% of those who vote.
Whilst international trust in America has taken a big hit and will involve some time and hard work to repair (America did elect this guy twice lol), I believe it is premature to give up on the American people as a whole. On a positive side for your great experiment, the things this administration is doing demonstrates what laws your country needs to strengthen or enact, what systems need to be shored up or built, and perhaps even what Constitutional amendments need to be put to the American people. One thing that definitely needs to happen for America's healing to begin when you win the fight, is accountability for those who collaborated in the illegal and unconstitutional acts being undertaken. The answer of "I was just following orders" was not accepted almost a century ago, and should not be acceptable now. And if anyone is keen on pardons for the sake of national unity and healing, I point to how Nixon's pardon may have contributed to where America is at the moment regarding the insane SCOTUS immunity decision & previous impeachment attempts of Trump. I actually think the pardon power & how it can be used should be one of the Amendments under discussion lol.
To expand on the words of JVL - best of luck America!
Your observations are so accurate, especially the last paragraph. I think so many of my white fellow citizens, just don't grasp the extremes of our society, that practiced such legalized, extreme hate towards black folk here, since America's birth in 1776, until the 1960's. logic should tell anyone, that around 200 straight years of that type racism, including civil war, is not going to be minimized even today. There's always been backlash when we've made positive racial change. Voting rights 60's; integration 70's 80's; political empowerment 90's through today. All followed by a nasty racist backlash. DEI is the new boogeyman backlash. Reminds me of something so positive, such as integration in the70's, being turned into such a nasty, negative term.
I believe Trumps initial election was backlash following Obama's 2 term election. It continues with assaults on voting rights & DEI today. Neither of his elections surprised me, but have to admit, made me SO disappointed in people that voted for him. Same disappointment, different time. I went to school in 50's-60's, followed by military. Many, many immediate family were military, including WW2, & all way back to civil war. My relatives that came before me, are my inspiration, including my dad that fought in a segregated military in WW2. Can't let them down. They experienced much worse than I. That's why I believe black folk are some of the most patriotic Americans out there. We know this country still has some serious faults. But this is my country, just as much as any other American. Never will stop fighting to make it a more inclusive, better place.
Very discouraged? Been there, many times before. Getting tired of doing whatever I can legally, to defeat the evil administration in power now? Tired, but more determined than tired. Too many like minded, moral Americans out there. Mostly though, I can't let the Ancestors down. They're watching. lol
Well said. As someone who volunteered to wear my country's uniform, I understand your reasoning. Whilst in the Army I met many American servicemen from across your services. I found them on the whole to be decent human beings and dedicated to the service of their country. Sure there were some dickheads to, but that's just the human condition no matter what country you go to lol. Whilst I doubt any of those people are still serving (it was the 80's to early 90's), I have to hope that the discipline and love of country is still the culture in your forces, as well as the belief of those I knew that it was the American people they served, not the President. I only say that as it is plain to see Trump's administration plans to put the military on the streets of America, and your men and women in uniform may be put into a position they should never be put in. There will be decisions that need to be made, and I hope they are the right ones for the sake of your country.
In the first few weeks following Trump's 2nd inauguration I admit that I had lost faith in the American people. I had seen them elect someone who was not only a danger to your country, but dangerous to the world, and his failings and attitudes were not a secret. And for a while it seemed like Americans were ok with their decision, but the following months have shown that your fellow citizens are not ok with all that is happening. The courts are standing up & ruling against the administration, and that's even in circuits where I thought he'd win. Whether SCOTUS does the right thing when the big cases hit is an open question, but for America's sake I hope that there's at least 5 Justices who decide the Constitution means something. The people are hitting the streets in towns & cities big and small. Some organisations are standing up instead of taking the knee & they should be supported, whilst those that bend the knee should be avoided. The fight is joined and MAGA is outnumbered, the evidence seems to suggest the hard core of the cult is roughly 20-30% of those who vote.
Whilst international trust in America has taken a big hit and will involve some time and hard work to repair (America did elect this guy twice lol), I believe it is premature to give up on the American people as a whole. On a positive side for your great experiment, the things this administration is doing demonstrates what laws your country needs to strengthen or enact, what systems need to be shored up or built, and perhaps even what Constitutional amendments need to be put to the American people. One thing that definitely needs to happen for America's healing to begin when you win the fight, is accountability for those who collaborated in the illegal and unconstitutional acts being undertaken. The answer of "I was just following orders" was not accepted almost a century ago, and should not be acceptable now. And if anyone is keen on pardons for the sake of national unity and healing, I point to how Nixon's pardon may have contributed to where America is at the moment regarding the insane SCOTUS immunity decision & previous impeachment attempts of Trump. I actually think the pardon power & how it can be used should be one of the Amendments under discussion lol.
To expand on the words of JVL - best of luck America!