Sipping Freedom From An Opaque Glass
After 247-years, isn't it time we talked about the ingredients?
Introduction:
Amidst the quintessential American scene of backyard barbecues and patriotic festivities, a profound question emerges: Is there truly cause for celebration in the history of the United States? As we delve into an honest review of our nation, we are confronted with a haunting past marred by lies, violence, oppression, and hostility. The scars of our worst deeds have left an indelible mark on our society, casting aside large segments of our population and marginalizing the vulnerable. In this introspection, we uncover a tragic tale that unfolds over 247 years, a story of despotic power, cruelty, and the systematic disregard for those deemed inferior. It is time to shed light on our dark history and examine the present through a lens of truth and accountability.
Unearthing the Horrors:
From the very origins of our nation, the concept of freedom was reserved for a select few - white, landowning men - while women, people of color, and indigenous communities were denied their rightful place. Our past is riddled with acts of inhumanity, where accusations of witchcraft led to the execution of innocent women, children, and men. Slavery became a cornerstone of our society, stripping countless individuals of their humanity, and those who resisted were met with brutality.
Expanding on Massacres: A Legacy of Violence:
To truly understand the dark underbelly of our nation, we must confront the long list of massacres that have stained our history. These incidents serve as chilling reminders of the violence perpetuated within our society:
Violently Repressed Strikes: Throughout American history, numerous strikes and labor movements have faced violent repression. From the Ludlow Massacre (1914), where striking coal miners and their families were attacked by the Colorado National Guard, to the Homestead Strike (1892), where workers at a steel mill in Pennsylvania were met with armed guards and violence, these instances highlight the brutal tactics employed to suppress labor movements and maintain control by powerful interests. These events underscore the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and the lengths to which some will go to stifle collective action.
Haymarket Riot (1886): The Haymarket Riot occurred during a labor protest in Chicago's Haymarket Square. Workers, predominantly advocating for an eight-hour workday, gathered peacefully. However, the protest turned violent when a bomb exploded, resulting in chaos and a subsequent clash between police and demonstrators. The incident led to the deaths of both police officers and protesters. The Haymarket Riot had a lasting impact on the labor movement, becoming a symbol of the struggle for workers' rights and inspiring the establishment of International Workers' Day.
Minneapolis Teamsters Strike (1934): The Minneapolis Teamsters Strike was a pivotal moment in American labor history. Truck drivers, predominantly organized by the Teamsters union, went on strike to demand fair wages and improved working conditions. The strike was met with violent opposition from authorities and hired security forces, leading to bloody confrontations and several deaths. The strike ultimately resulted in a significant victory for the labor movement, as workers' demands were partially met, and the Teamsters union gained recognition and influence.
Stonewall Riots (1969): The Stonewall Riots marked a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City, members of the LGBTQ+ community fought back against harassment and discrimination. The ensuing riots lasted for several days and were a significant catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The Stonewall Riots are widely regarded as a symbol of resistance and the fight for equality and justice.
Kent State Massacre (1970): In the midst of anti-war protests against the Vietnam War, four unarmed college students were killed and nine others wounded when the Ohio National Guard opened fire.
WTO Seattle Protests (1999): Demonstrations against the World Trade Organization's meeting in Seattle were met with a heavy-handed police response. Protesters were subjected to tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets, revealing the authoritarian tactics employed by authorities to suppress dissent.
Water Protector Movement (2016-2017): In response to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, peaceful Native American water protectors faced aggressive tactics from law enforcement. Rubber bullets, water cannons, and attack dogs were used against unarmed individuals defending their ancestral land and water rights.
George Floyd Protests (2020): The killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against police brutality. These demonstrations were met with excessive force, tear gas, and rubber bullets, highlighting the persistent violence inflicted upon marginalized communities.
This list is far from complete, and does not include the countless massacres of native peoples, people of color, or LGBTQIA+ peoples throughout history. The number of casualties lost to our country’s greed, hate, fear, and despotism will never be fully known. Day in and day out countless lives are lost at the hands of our own government, and even more by extremist hate elements allowed to operate openly.
Pretense and Present Challenges:
Though we may be tempted to believe that such practices are relics of the past, the truth is far more sobering. Mass shootings, violence, and intimidation against those deemed different still plague our nation, reminding us that yesterday's witch has become today's target. As I write these words, I am filled with concern for the safety of those I hold dear, as they face growing danger in states like Florida and Iowa. People are waking up in their homes suddenly afraid their own state will deny their existence, or wondering if their neighbor will be the one to attack.
Where are the mass protests? Where is the pushback? Where are the people standing up against these problems? They’ve been silenced by the larger community that values the sense of peace and stability over righting wrongs and correcting problems. They’ve been worn down by bureaucracy and being left standing alone. Individuals can only stick their necks out so far alone before the risks become too great: change requires mass action.
Turning Our Backs on Promises:
The promises of an egalitarian, free society that once echoed through our founding documents now ring hollow. Instead, we witness a nation actively turning its back on these ideals. The current state of affairs is characterized by a pervasive disregard for the welfare of marginalized communities, the erosion of civil liberties, and the rise of systemic inequality. These troubling trends manifest in policies that disproportionately affect the poor, people of color, and marginalized groups, perpetuating cycles of oppression and hindering progress towards a more just society. Even those who say they are concerned are filled with apathy, afraid of standing tall against the prevailing winds of hate and violence, for fear of the consequences of doing so.
Conclusion:
As we reflect upon the 247+ year history of the United States, we must confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface. Only by acknowledging our dark past, including the massacres that scar our collective memory, and recognizing the ongoing violence and oppression in our present, can we hope to chart a path towards genuine change. It is time to cast aside the veil of denial, hold ourselves accountable, and strive towards a society that embraces justice, equality, and the betterment of humanity. We can only do that when we’re willing to have a stark, and sober discussion about where we’ve been and where we are going.
The fact of the matter is, we live a lie. If we choose to continue pretending those lies, we will continue to perpetuate the harms and cruelty associated with those lies. However, if we choose to be courageous for once, to acknowledge fully the reality of not only our dark past but our dark present, and to say once and for all that we are better than this, then we can accomplish something truly remarkable.
Change requires action. Action requires involvement, risk, commitment, losses, and setbacks. The change that is needed requires staring into the eyes of power, summoning all of our strength and values, and making our demands clear.
It will require actually standing up and not demanding change but making it happen. It will require holding our own to a higher level of accountability. It will mean no longer making excuses for why things can’t change, but instead finding ways to overcome those obstacles.
If we want a egalitarian, peaceful, and most importantly, livable world, then we can build it. We just have to want to take the first step.
The first step is understanding and acknowledging that politicians are not on our side, even if they belong from the same party: they have donors who they listen to, not you or I. A writing letter campaign to your favorite congress-critter will result in nothing but wasted paper. Bold change requires bold voices, it requires flexing power.
The citizens of the united states have an unbelievable amount of combined power, the ability to completely stop global trade, to bring titans of industry to their knees…
All we have to do is work together toward the same goal. It’s time for change. It’s time we red shift away from our current timeline.
It’s time we took action.