We get the world we make. Not the world we wish for. Not the world we dream of. But the world we are willing to make.
I admit I have gotten cynical about protesting. Governments have gone ahead and done what they already planned despite protests. Too many times they were ignored by people in power. There are plenty of times what appeared to be a rising social movement ultimately fizzled out, with little in terms of real change implemented.
Protests build solidarity, raise awareness, and show those in power how people feel. They keep pressure on officials. By themselves, protests don’t pass laws or change public policy. Police treatment of people of color has been a civil rights issue for more than 50 years. The Black Lives Matter has been actively protesting in the Twin cities for years now. Will the wave of protests because of George Floyd’s death be any different?
Too often, I felt protests was opening the lid to let off steam and nothing more. Changes were made but not enough, because the system was still there. People went home after the protest and did nothing more to make change. I don’t know if this will be more letting off steam, or if the kettle will burst.
What I do know is that American Law enforcement in the United States is so decentralized that changing the system will be city by city. We have city, county, state, and federal police forces. Passing laws to effect all of them is difficult, and that is putting it mildly. The death of George Floyd, as tragic as it is, is but one branch on a tree in a forest. The real change will take hard work, sacrifice, and won’t happen overnight.
How Do You Make a New World?
To make is a verb. It is much harder to make a new world, and to keep it working for everyone, than to burn down the old. But the old world has benefited some who will battle to keep it, and real change will be difficult. You can’t go to a protest on Saturday and return to work on Monday and expect that will be enough. Make change. Make the world different. Acknowledge your own power, and use it. If we don’t support the things that are good, they will wither.
Call and write your members of government. Here is the website for Minnesota. A silent majority holding power is hogwash. People read into silence what they want. Vote for people who will make change, and make sure your voice is heard so they will follow through. Leaders are not defined by their words, but by actions.
Are people willing to listen with empathy? The unspoken assumptions are the most powerful. Are white people who have had power, and not had to face racism, willing to be humble? Is everyone willing to listen to those who have looked at the data, and have knowledge about what needs to be done?
Everything has a price. The price of doing nothing will be more tragedy. But the price of change is steep. Those who are comfortable now will have to be a little less comfortable. Not everyone is going to agree to it, and there will be conflict.
It will cost money. Not just tax dollars to make reforms that will be successful. But to invest in areas that have been overlooked, and to invest in people who have been overlooked will require commitment. On an individual level, people can choose where they will shop, and make donations. True, small businesses tend to be more expensive. But they give back so much more to their local community. There are many fine charities helping to rebuild the neighborhood, and volunteering is a great way to give back to the community as well.
The Lake street Council is focusing on rebuilding Lake Street businesses that have been damaged.
Hamline Midway Coalition is rebuilding the midway area
Minnesota Freedom Fund is trying to end cash bail and the inequities it causes.
What helps us make it through the bad times is art. Here is a list of Twin Cities Black artists in need of support.
We need to know what is going on. Support your local media. In the Twin Cities, MPR and the Star Tribune have been doing some boots on the ground reporting.
For a Pagan perspective and a discussion of paganism and protests, 3 Pagans and a cat devoted their latest podcast.