As I write this, our nation convulses in spasms of righteous anger, layered with trauma and uncertainty. As a pandemic continues to rage, our cities face the longest and most sustained civil unrest and upheaval that they have seen in decades. The profound anger of the most recent generation of people to face what has become an ongoing and ever present reality of injustice in our nation has people in the streets once again.
Where is our President? Where is the man who said only he could fix America?
He is hiding in the White House like a coward. His only “accomplishment” this week was to order federal officers to attack peaceful American protesters in Lafayette Park, so that he could stage the most profane photo op in the history of modern media. A man who dodged every opportunity to serve his country, issuing attack orders against his fellow Americans on the streets of our nation’s capital. There has not been a more vulgar and inexcusable set of images broadcast to the world on behalf of the President of the United States in living memory.
These ominous images we have all seen are occurring in what would normally be a month of celebrations. Pride Month this year is going to feel a lot different without parades or other joyous, festive public events. However, it is apt to remember that Pride is a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 – riots that were started most notably by black, brown, and trans folks who had enough of the constant police brutality toward the LGBTQ community. Remembering this fact should give us perspective and understanding of the struggles of people that continue to this day.
To end this note on the most positive tone that I can muster, I cannot help but draw attention to the recent demonstrations in Gloucester. Several rallies and marches of hundreds of our neighbors have been organized and carried out by the young people of our community. These actions, rooted in the paradigm of the Black Lives Matter movement, have shown that the priorities of our young people are focused on justice and equality – an affirmation of values that should reassure the hearts of any true Democrat.
To quote Roger Daltry: “The kids are alright.”
Democratically yours,
Matthew C. Murray