Protests Past and Present
Tuning into the news, it's hard to watch what's going on in the US right now. The unrest, the people clearly opposed to what's being done. And there's the government, always forcing the issue.
People gathering to make their voices heard. "You're not wanted here!" the cry of many a protester. And yet still, the government can't help but escalate. The National Guard has been called in. At first under the normal command of the Governor, but now the President has federalized these service members⤻ for his own bidding. Military weapons aimed at our own civilians. It's the worst optics imaginable.
And so another day where the US government proves its disdain for the average citizen. No regard for their desires. Just looking to push their own agenda. How can you watch as these people have guns and bayonets shoved in their backs⤻ and not think "Who are the real criminals here?"
[This post was written in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1957]
So there you have it⤻. Try to wrap your head around this one. Have you spent any of the last few days condemning the government's response to the protests in Los Angeles, California? Have you ever considered that the enforcement of US law is, IDK, the whole purpose of the executive branch? Even if you "don't want them to"?
I saw a post⤻ earlier that said:
When ICE raided communities in California, local law enforcement should have arrested them. They weren't wanted there.
When national guard were ordered to come, they should have said no. When they did come, local police should have stood against them.
Translated to 1957... "When [these students went to Little Rock] the local cops should have stopped them. They weren't wanted there. When the national guard was sent, local police should have stood against them." Do you see how this game works? In both cases, the national guard is there to enforce the US Federal Law.
Just a bit of a trap I thought I'd spring on you. A "thought experiment", if you will. Go ahead, justify to yourself the use of the US Military when desegregating schools but not for the enforcement of any other US Federal Law. And when you try to do so, step back to 1957 and think "Could the people arguing for segregation use this same argument?"
I'm not trying to be mean. I want you to be stronger in your beliefs. Consider not just what you believe, but why. See it through to the end. You have to be ready to be confronted by the opposition. Sometimes they seem to make good points. So you have to be firm and stand your ideological ground.
Yours Truly,
[Redacted]