Why now?

Return...

I haven't written on this website in a long time. Originally published as something to promote my writing career. However, it has been very difficult to talk about myself and market for my books. Especially when no one has been buying them. 

Current Events...
Over the past few days, there have been a lot of protests and uprising of people who are frustrated over the murder of a man named George Floyd. This man was killed in police custody and murdered in plain sight of the public. He was a black man, and the police officer kneeled on his neck until he was dead. Even being on video did not deter this officer from what he was doing. 
Across the nation, communities rose up in protest. Unfortunately, violence broke out in addition to looting and destruction of private property. However, I don't fault the movement or the public, because these have been grievances for such a long time. Grievances such as systematic racism, differential justice, and crimes of hate. 

Why now?
I have to confess a slowness of mind. Although my heart is in a good place, it takes me awhile to think of an idea that will help. Something I have long believed in is that opportunities don't often come to you, and instead of waiting for an opportunity one must create the opportunity. 
We have all probably asked ourselves at some point, "I agree with my friends who are oppressed, harassed, and exploited. But what can I do about it?" I don't have a lot of money to donate to charities and establishments active on these fronts, and I don't live in a location that is close to a major demonstration site. It bugged me for so long, until it finally hit me. There are talents, skills, and gifts that I have to offer. I have a voice and a platform with this website, so I need to do something with them. 
I have friends all across the world. Friends who are people of color, in the LBGTQ+ community, and of different faiths and forms of belief. So I have decided to use my voice and the privilege that I have to speak out in support of them. 

The Truth...
The phrase "hegemonic ideology" was a new phrase to me when I went to graduate school a few years ago. A hegemony is nothing more than a ruling or authoritative body. Hegemonic ideology is a belief and the practice of methods that are good or beneficial to a hegemony. 
Our country is suffering under an ideology that is implied, if not stated with actions that to get ahead in this country then you must be a white male. In differential criminal justice you can tell how different treatments are applied between different ethnic groups.
Acknowledgement is only the beginning of the fight. I am a white male, and the fact that I can go throughout my day without being attacked or harassed has been a privilege that I didn't even know I was using. As they say about the law, "ignorance is no excuse."
It's not something malicious or vindictive of me, and I humble myself to admit that I have privileged from the color of my skin. Skin color is not a choice, but what I do with my attributes is my choice. So I say, no more. I refuse to be silent about the inequalities of the treatment of others. 
Our society has an element of interdependence on each other. As the phrase goes, "no man is an island," we need each other. Coexistence is the truth of our reality, and mutual respect should be the heart of our moral code. Not competition, or feeling superior. That is for the weak minded. 
Common goals should unite us, and our diverse history and talents should make us formidable. It shouldn't take a tragedy to bring us together, we already are together. And we must make mutual respect and equal treatment and protection our priority. Today I have, and I hope you my dear readers will do so as well.