By: Saaniah Hardy
Confusion, sorrow, and empathy are all feelings that people in the U.S. might be feeling right now. 2020 was a handful from the start, and only seemed to get worse as the months went on. I’m sure I don’t need to explain what happened; we all went through it and want to leave it behind. Now three months into the new year, and I’m just as perplexed as ever. There is still a topic that lingers from it all and needs serious discussion: the fight for equality.
When the video of George Floyd’s death emerged, the U.S. felt angry….we all did. Following that was the beginning of a sorrow-filled equality movement. The world nearly stopped for the Black Lives Matter protests–the Justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd movements. The rage was palpable, and the silenc
When the video of George Floyd’s death emerged, the U.S. felt angry….we all did. Following that was the beginning of a sorrow-filled equality movement. The world nearly stopped for the Black Lives Matter protests–the Justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd movements. The rage was palpable, and the silence of decades was broken. Not only were blacks fighting to save black lives, but every race was there to help and support — the beginnings if a truly sorrow-filled equality movement like nothing seen since the 1960s…but with acknowledgement of the failures of the promise of equality, not the denial.
Another equality movement was that of the January 6th storming of Capital Hill by Right-wing militants. You might have different views than me about what happened…I honestly don’t know what happened or why they wanted to storm the Capitol. This piece is not about the details; you can read editor Courtney Suber’s article (linked at the end) for that. I’m talking about how much confusion there is about the events that happened that day, and the effects on us…on the U.S. On US.
You could see it happening from different perspectives–on different news sites, social media, teachers, or friends telling you. One second it wasn’t a thing on my mind; the next it was. If you were like me, you found out about it on TikTok. Everyone I watched had a say about how it was wrong. But some people didn’t. Some people were silent. Black Lives Matter protests had many police, rubber bullets, and tear gas, but with the capital storming there is a video of police “opening the gate”. What am I supposed to think? How can anyone accept this? How should we take in everything that has been happening?
Truthfully, it is too much for our understanding. Don’t try to make sense of everything. It’s ok to be confused, sad, or mad about everything. We all just need time to process. The school’s support staff has offered to talk to students about how they feel. This conversation is one to never end. I’m only really ready now to start the talk for me, for us…for US.
Courtney Suber’s view:
Chaos at the Capitol: Insurrection or Protest?
