Independence Day
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
-excerpt from the Declaration of Independence
For some people, fireworks represent Independence Day. But this Independence Day, I was SO DANG PROUD to show our son the true meaning of freedom. And it came in the form of peacefully gathering to shed light one of the worst forms of injustice in this Land of the Free: systemic racism.
It was peaceful and welcoming. Everyone was respectful, wore masks, and distanced themselves. There was bottled water for anyone to grab, and Lazy Dog donated pizzas.
Thank you to the Beck family for hosting at the Gafkay Law Office. Thank you specifically to Maggie- a high schooler!- for bringing the first BLM event to Frankenmuth. Thank you to all of the wonderful people driving by who showed support with honks, thumbs up, and cheers.
And finally, here are a few of my thoughts in regards to the #AllLivesMatter debate::
“The sentiment that all lives matter is absolutely accurate. The intent behind specifically stating Black Lives Matter is important for a few reasons: historically, Black lives were once only valued as property, as free labor, and as subhuman. Granted, neither you nor me actively participated in slavery, but to say “Black Lives Matter” is to validate their historically horrible experience within this country and beyond. To say “Black Lives Matter” is to acknowledge the inherited trauma that has been passed down through generations. To say “Black Lives Matter” is to admit that the systems within which this country operates were created in a time when Black people were not represented, and therefore systemic racism DOES exist. To say “Black Lives Matter” is to acknowledge that Black lives are disproportionately: incarcerated, killed in police custody, lost during childbirth, given a subpar education, and many more things. To say “Black Lives Matter” really just means that we believe all lives matter, and therefore we must demand better for our Black brothers and sisters.
