This is My Personal Reflection on Events in the U.S. This Week.
The Murder of George Floyd, Protests turned Riots combined with the spread of COVID-19 and Record-Breaking Unemployment all combine with the growing tensions in the U.S. with an increase in possible societal combustion across the country.
This week has been crazy. And I’ve been trying to moderate my intake of news. But this is too much.
The murder of George Floyd, the protests, now riots, and this morning The New York Times Breaking News that Military police units are preparing for possible deployment,
“The move does not mean that the units will be activated, but it is a first step toward doing so, officials said. Deploying military police units — likely from Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Drum in New York — would represent an escalation in the government response to the unfolding events, in an echo of past uprisings over racial tensions in America. Military police units were used in 1992 during the aftermath to the Rodney King verdict in California.”
Source: “George Floyd Protests Latest Updates” – The New York Times 5/30/2020
Justice for George Floyd is necessary. And I can’t help thinking about how this week has brought more attention to the issue of systemic racism in the U.S.
I wrote about racist rhetoric, white-supremacy, and systemic racism as an undergrad:
There was an increase of racist posters, graffiti, and rhetoric at The University of Utah and other nearby college campuses. I gathered reports of these events, and argued in my essay, that this was growing evidence that there is an organized white-supremacists presence with an agenda.
OPINION: Since the election of Trump in 2016, I believe there is an increase in the activity of white-supremacist organizations and the distribution of their rhetoric across the nation. This is a serious concern of mine. And the events of Charlottesville are still fresh in mind.
Increase in unemployment, loss of jobs, the rise of poverty, and now the protests and riots resulting from the murder of George Floyd; these are all elements when combined, can combust in violence and death. I fear that people will die as a result.
I can’t help it, I’m trying to stay positive, I’m trying not to stress, but I can’t ignore these signs that I feel are so blatant right now. Something is happening, something is going to happen, I just hope that it’s not military intervention, violence, and death.
Please stay safe out there.
-Alina
What I have my eye on:
Voting this year, the 2020 Presidential Election
What I’m Reading:
“The devastating effects of COVID-19 on democracy – but what if there is a silver lining?”
If you liked this blog post, check out these:
Why I’m Not Celebrating Independence Day This Year
Podcast Sesh #2 June 18, 2020: Writing, Freelancing and Coping with the George Floyd Protests
Life During COVID-19: Reflecting on the Murder of Robert Fuller, Trump and a Personal Update
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Great to include what you’re reading, thanks!
Thank you!