I’ve thought for the past year that this time would be difficult. In honesty, the government of the United States has deteriorated faster than I could have imagined.
Starting with DOGE Bros, know-it-alls who trample over private data and randomly remove hard-working civil servants, to this past week when the goons of ICE began their rein of terror in earnest, the trajectory of the Republic has been downward. So let me be clear.
These are the things I believe:
Killing a person. A US citizen. Shooting point-blank through a car window because who-knows-why is an abomination.
A two-year old sent to Detention Center, even “temporarily”, is an abomination.
A Pre-Kindergartener used as bait to lure his father. That’s an abomination.
Causing medical patients to be so fearful that needed medical care and appointments are missed. That’s an abomination.
Harassing a teen, a US citizen, while working at Target and subsequently dropping him off miles from where he lives and works. That’s an abomination.
Forcing a man who is a US citizen outdoors with only his underclothing for protection from freezing weather. Why? Because he looks different. That’s an abomination.
Removing people who have studied and EARNED their US Citizenship the hard way from their swearing-in ceremony is an abomination.
Armed, masked, and weaponized thugs breaking down doors to residences without warrants.
Over-riding the Fourth Amendment by memo.
Harassing protestors exercising their rights. Throwing canisters of tear gas. Close range in-the-face pepper spraying.
And that’s just this month. Does anyone really know the full extent of this rein of terror?
Brutality toward humanity, especially if one speaks differently, looks different or otherwise is not from 1950s “greatness” is all the thugs know. Spoiler alert: I lived in the 1950s and 1960s, it wasn’t great for all. In fact, it often was pretty terrible.
I’ve maintained all through Trump1 and Trump2 that these pathetic people are coming for all of us. Well, they are here, they profile, they discriminate, and they are violent. Trying to make sense of the group-think from goons acting on orders from the “top” is not enough. These are atrocities that call for pushback. People of Minneapolis and Maine, you inspire.
This is what I have to say. It’s what I believe. Silence may be convenient but it is NOT an option.
After An Educator's Journey 