After weeks of protest, police retaliation, political posturing and discussions – some civil, some not – about the need for justice in our country, where do we go from here?
Will the movement die out? Will the much needed energy that ignited Americans across racial, religious and societal barriers continue to grow?
Will the monuments to bigots and racists, long casting shadows of fear and division over our nation, finally be brought crashing down?
Will the voices of the thousands of protesters reach the lofty ears of our elected officials, inspiring real legislation and lasting change? Will they send thoughts and prayers?
I don’t know where we will go from here, but I do know the mobilization of tens of thousands of Americans we’ve seen these past few weeks will bring change.
Nine of the 13 member on Minneapolis’ city council have announced their intentions to disband the police department, rebuilding it from the ground up.
Legislators in New York overwhelmingly voted to ban the use of choke holds by law enforcement.
Liberal and conservative politicians came together to condemn the use of military power to strip citizens of their right to protest.
The marines banned the Confederate flag.
Skimming through the various news, television (I separate the two. I’m a bit biased), and online media, the term “unprecedented” seems to be getting a fair workout with the changes brought on by the global demand for change sparked by the murder of George Floyd. And the changes have been unprecedented.
For the first time since 2016, I have a bit of hope that good things are around the corner. I have hope we’ll see lasting positive change in our country, and I have hope a new dialog will open up in our communities. I have hope that symbol of treason and oppression will be removed from our state flag, that our leaders will put lives and livelihoods ahead of marble statues and the fear mongering of revisionist zealots.
Where do we go from here?
Up.
You can contact managing editor Thomas Howard at thoward@newtoncountyappeal.com
