Perfect Storm
By: Michael Opokuforfieh
Tags: BlackLivesMatter, Protest, Covid-19, Revolution

Photo by Jacob Boavista on Unsplash Actions Speaking Louder

The events of the past few weeks coincide with events over the past few months. They appear to have met and produced a swell of human reaction and protest that would have been hard to imagine last year or even 20 years ago.



Never

I had thought that my last post on the experience of CoViD19 would be my last. That post looked at the fatigued experience of when will the Lockdown end and things return to something that’s near normal? But something as cruel and life affecting has appeared on the horizon and I am drawn to look at this too.



Brutality

3 Black people died in quick succession this year (2020) at the hands of law enforcement. A bird watcher in Central Park perilously almost became another casualty. The 3 were Eric Reason, Dominique Clayton, Brennan Taylor.

Sailing

A sea fairing person I am not. And yet I have watched The Perfect Storm. The enjoyment of seeing humans do battle against the elements is not lost on me. I cannot exactly tell you what makes a storm perfect. It may have something to do with weather, tides and currents synchronising to create conditions where storm surges of 40ft hit shores and coastlines. That would be me hazarding a guess.

Gasp

For the perfect storm to have happened in the way that it has, took a tri partisan event. A triple threat.

The virus.

The Lockdown.

3 Black people being murdered by law enforcement and then George Floyd.

That feeling of breaking the surface for air may be the result.

After being confined to our homes for long periods of time. We may want and need to react to self and state imposed incarceration. Shake the dust off and stretch our collective civil might on streets around the world.

Swell

The deaths of 4 Black people in the US, may provide the perfect set of circumstances to take our 3 months worth of thinking and feeling, holding our breaths that we all come out of the ‘Rona alive and finally fully exhale.

If we then combine this sense of surviving, with the injustice of people losing their lives unlawfully by law enforcement — repeatedly. Add in the deep seated feelings of sadness, confusion guilt, regret, shame, anger and rage.

Then and only then breathe out in an exhilaratingly powerful way. The slogan of Black Lives Matter and ‘I Can’t Breathe’ potentially could take on more meaning.

The sentiment being viscerally felt by masses because they, we get it. We too were restrained against our will for longer than we wanted.

Some of us, just didn’t make it, unfortunately.

Letting Go

Shedding years of misguided notions and seeing clearly that life for certain groups of people have been harder for hidden and ignored reasons.

Black peoples challenges have not solely arisen by our own design. The making of systems that demean and devalue and place one group of people above others.

The idea of superiority was deigned as a right of being historically, and has been implemented globally by Europeans. Black people have been demanding equality. It’s time to…

One

George Floyd’s death gave reason for many to leave the safe protective confines of homes and take to the streets. Stating to ourselves and internationally that the cause of his death was unlawful, unjust and is simply wrong. The world needs to see how we feel #FFS. The videos and articles I have seen of a world united against injustice is heartening.



Continuing

For Black, Brown and othered peoples this fight has been long standing. We have been fighting for the betterment of all.

My hope is for the ongoing struggle to produce tangible life affirming results like: access for all to have an outstanding education system, healthcare, job opportunities, secure and safe housing in neighbourhoods that value collaboration and place being part of a community and advantage over being focused on the one I.

Other outcomes could include an ever present critical awareness of the impact of systemic oppression. Also being aware of racist policies profiting one group over and above others, the world over and a willingness from allies to stand with.

Anti Racist change is a demand that is to be met globally.

Resources

Uncomfortable Conversations by Emmanuel Acho

Explain White Privilege by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Van Jones discusses George Floyd and what comes next

Harvard Gazette Interviews Prof Lawrence D. Bobo The Fire Thus Time

Quentin Fottrell discusses George Floyd, white supremacy — and the otherization of African American Men

Brené Brown discusses with Ibrahim X. Kendi How to be an Anti-Racist