...things change and perspective becomes clearer. Although, to be honest, nothing has changed. Everything leading up to this past weekend's rebellion was because NOTHING HAS CHANGED. 

As I wrote in my previous post, I was going to use this blog space to bitch and moan about a few things happening in my world. 

Blah, blah, blah-fucking-blah. 

I have nothing to complain about. Nothing. I'm white. I'm male. I'm alive. 

What's happened nationwide is just the beginning (at least I hope it is). Pittsburgh protesters displayed courage, resilience and empathy during, what turned into an incredible showing of unity across the city, the country and abroad. Saturday, May 30th's peaceful turnout turned into a shit show of epic (and I hate that word, by the way) proportions. It's all been recorded. It's been written about. It's making the rounds on social media. They've identified the idiots who clearly weren't there for the right reasons or for any reasonable cause. The question now is what will the authorities do about it? Sunday's gatherings were large and peace-filled and without incident. I wonder why. 

We're dealing with yet another Black Man being murdered by lawless cops using every goddamn excuse they can wrap their fingers around to pass the buck...move it along. We're also dealing with another virus that just won't go away and yet, we're being led to slaughter. Think about it. But this isn't about COVID-19 or the LBGTQ community or our Corporate-Run-Government or even our dimwitted asshat of a president (he ain't helping' much though, is he?). 

I have NO idea what it's like to be hated because of my race. I have NO idea what it's like to be told I can't go somewhere because of my shade of skin. I have NO idea what it's like to be constantly looking over my shoulder while bird-watching or biking or walking or just simply breathing. No idea whatsoever, but I am seeing people who are willing to die fighting for their ongoing fight against racism. 

This is about BLACK LIVES MATTERING. Period. 

Pittsburgh has a long, sordid history with regard to racism. I've seen it first-hand and often since moving here two years ago. It sickens me and yet I have to wonder, as cleaning crews and shop-owners begin cleaning up the shattered glass of their lives, if anything will actually change. I can't help but feel that Pittsburgh is working quickly to sweep this under the rug as they try desperately to reopen the economy. 

I keep reading about "healing" and "understanding." You can only heal and begin to understand after the cut has been made and scars over. Sadly, the cutting continues. There hasn't been enough time for scarring. 

#blacklivesmatter