I’ve struggled with what to write for this week, and I don’t usually have any problem with figuring out what to post here. I sit down and the words come tumbling out.
But the issues facing us are gigantic, and they seem to overwhelm me. I fear that what I believe I need to say will offend some of you. But speak, I must.
Generally, I can find good in almost any situation and pride myself on being positive. These times present a challenge to both of those perspectives. In several of my books, I have a character saying something like, “Let’s look at the worst that can happen, then we can face it and move on with figuring out what to do.”
Well, that works pretty well for a character in a book, but because I’m a writer with an active imagination, when I look into the future what I see is terrifying. It almost shuts down my ability to function. It makes me feel helpless. Not a place I want to be. I’ve always wanted to feel competent to deal with whatever.
But let’s try looking at our current situation.
As I see it, we’re fighting a war on three fronts.
We’re fighting a pandemic, but not very well, as people rush to get back to “real life” and selfishly refuse to wear face masks that might help keep the virus at bay.
We’re beginning to face what “White Privilege” means and the cost that has taken on our black brothers and sisters. A Facebook post reminded me: “White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard, it means the color of your skin doesn’t make it harder.” If you have any doubt about what “White Privilege” means or how you profit from being white, please check out this link. I’m grateful to the author for posting it. I’ve shared it on FB twice and once before here on the blog.
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2017/09/08/my-white-friend-asked-me-on-facebook-to-explain-white-privilege
Third and perhaps the scariest is that the person in the White House is doing his darndest to overthrow normal government processes and procedures, ignoring some laws, and twisting others to suit his goal. I hate to write this, but I believe his goal is to remain in office forever. He believes he’s a dictator, like all those he admires. I’m worried that when he loses the election (and, God, please let that be the result of the election), he will refuse to leave office. After the November election, he’s in office until January 20, 2021. What happens during those almost three months?
During this racial crisis, the president shows no empathy for what George Floyd suffered or his family or black people in our country. He’s never shown one iota of empathy for anyone, choosing to throw paper towel rolls in Puerto Rico as if he were a barker at a fair.
Some signs give us hope. Police officers in several parts of our country taking the knee with the protestors. The protestors peacefully protesting. Church and community leaders speaking out and demanding justice.
Marsha R. West, Author 
Great post, Marsha.
As a Canadian, my heart hurts for the people of your country. Our news shows the worst of what is going on, and while I truly hope that is a badly skewed view, I fear it is not.
From the outside, the troubles make me think of a bog fire. That is, the flames go out when they are well drenched, but the fire continues below the surface, and constantly pops up in new places. The only way to properly put out a bog fire is to dig up the bog and expose all the embers.
I fear that the trouble in your country will need to be dug out of every crevice before healing can really take place, and that is going to take a great deal of time, and vigilance.
To me, the end game is the positive that you can try to hang onto through the turbulence.
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Hey, Kathryn. I love the analogy to the bog fire. I think you are absolutely correct. Every couple of years an atrocity captures the public’s attention and we vow to do better, but then we don’t. It’s like gun violence. A tragic event happens, kids are killed, we promise it won’t happen again, but then legislators don’t do anything, and the public drops the pressure. I’m praying this time it’s different, but the problem is not so much the laws or lack there of. The problem is in people’s hearts when they don’t see the magnitude of the issues or accept our responsibility for the situation. So yes, it’s definitely a long game, but how long are our black brothers and sisters–and all those who are discriminated against–supposed to wait? Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m always blessed by your positive outlook. 🙂
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I have to add, that my country has troubles too, and I hope we can work through them with true diligence.
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Kathryn, hopefully there are enough people with good hearts, we can make it happen.
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Thanks for your thoughtful post, Marsha. It takes courage to speak out and use your platform, but as the Duchess of Sussex said today, the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing. I firmly believe that good eventually comes out of evil. These are frightening times, but both our countries have seen protests in the past which eventually brought about a change for good. I hope you don’t lose heart and that the good people in both our countries don’t lose courage. Best wishes to you.
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Hey Helena. The Duchess spoke wisely. What is that phrase, Evil wins when good people are silent? That’s a dreadful paraphrase, but you get the idea. I think my concern comes from people I know, who seem like very nice folks and yet, I doubt they look at things from a justice perspective. They are Christians and still don’t get it. But never, ever, ever give up from another one of your countrymen. We will keep on speaking out and voting. Certainly a time for all of us to come together. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Marsha, I am proud of you for speaking out. Do you remember the tragedies in the 60’s-Kennedy and King’s assassinations, the civil rights protests, President Nixon as prez in 1969-74? They were all events I thought we would never recover from. I still feel the scars from them. I hope today’s generations can take the protests and turn them into truly finding justice and equality for all. We the people are responsible for putting up presidential candidates. We have to do better! Find honest leaders we can respect. Politicians don’t represent their constituents. They only want the power that comes with the office. Keep praying!
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Hey, JQ. Yes, these times ring true to those you mention. I remember watching TV back then and thinking this couldn’t be happening in my country. Sadly, we haven’t learned. I do pray this is a turning point. George Floyd’s brother was inspirational today. The coming together of all races and ethnicities on this issue brings hope. We only come through this together. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing.
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Hi Marsha,
I’m glad you spoke out as well. I appreciate your carefully chosen words that come from both your heart and your intellect.
Thank you for the beautiful picture and the reminder that each day is a new day; or from my own favorite book, ‘His mercies are new every morning.’
From my lake to yours,
Gina
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