Six Months, Future Years (159)

2020 will not be remembered fondly. The first six months have been anything but easy, pleasant or positive. Covid-19 shut down schools, businesses, lives. The economy unraveled. Unemployment rose. Inefficiency and ignorance reigned. It left us raw, exposed and vulnerable. It created a reverberation of frustration, desperation and fear. It also widened the gap of disparity and inequality.

Then came the unbelievable brutality. The lens sharpened on the civic injustice always present, yet slightly muted by the virus. It became amplified and organized. People left quarantine to join forces against police violence and social discrimination, violation and abuse. Silenced, isolated voices, exited their six feet parameters and began to march side by side.

The positive influence was grand, powerful, empowering and the streets became not only a memorial, but a tribute and congregation of supporters. But, with any cause, with any rebellion- comes those who want to use it for something else. To divide and conquer, to disrupt and cause mayhem within a gentle amplification.

Voices continued to rise and as such violence followed- erupted, singed and destroyed. Then the positive, inspiring expression gave voice to the crowd, let the declaration unite. Become a more distinct and unified communication. The tide shifted into a more focused energy. One of remembrance, thoughtful and purposeful change and awareness.

People are listening. Those in power have heard the battle cry and are listening. We need to shatter the protective barrier, in order to let in the glorious noise of grace. To allow the utterances and inflections, of those who need to be heard, become the the leaders of the movement. To unite. To open the windows of conversations- not started out of anger, but out of a common goal.

Six months has reformatted our reality. We no longer sit isolated, we gather in crowds to peacefully and radically call attention to ourselves. To our actions, responses and lack of both. We are listening. We are no longer behind the false barricade, we are tearing down the facade, we are outraged. We are also formulating change. This is the first step to transformation.