George Floyd’s death in 2020 set off a reactionary flood of “peaceful protests” against police brutality. The burning and looting resulted in $2 billion worth of damage. The Black Lives Matter movement seduced politicians, media, and ordinary citizens.
In my world that translated to compulsory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) instruction, racial equity task forces, and mandatory diversity statements. This was the first time I attended employer-required training where I recognized that my perceptions did not align with the approved agenda. I did not experience America as a white supremacist or racist oppressor nation, but then I was probably the oldest person in the room. Being white was also a problem. How could I possibly understand others’ reality?
What did I do?
I looked around for anyone willing to object along with me. Two of us indicated that we had a different perception, but we were too polite to debate the trainer. After the session I sent the trainer a list of alternative sources by Black authors saying Black oppression was exaggerated. There is plenty of evidence that Blacks had prospered before the LBJ Great Society welfare initiatives began to destroy the family structure.
Since then, the oppression doctrine has magnified beyond recognition. Not only are black, brown, Hispanic, and women minorities oppressed. Don’t forget the LGBQT, homeless, illegal aliens, Muslims, and now, Palestinian populations.
So, in order to fight oppression, we have to stop enforcing border and election security, we have to stop prosecuting crimes and incarcerating criminals, and we should focus all our attention on the really big existential threat, “climate change.”
For a while I wasn’t sure what identity politics meant.
It should have been easy to see where all the sorting into separate identities would lead. Now, it’s clear that it is not helping us accept each other’s uniqueness. It is dividing us into hateful un-American camps that are unable to debate and discuss issues like civilized people. We no longer go about our business believing in “live and let live.” Instead, we protest, yell, scream, destroy anything in our path, and throw tantrums like two-year-olds. Reason has given way to force.
Over the years there had been plenty of clues to changes that did not seem right to me. When every instruction from the government came in 38 languages, that was a sign that assimilation into the American culture was no longer expected. I am neither a sociologist nor a public administration expert. Who am I to question the authorities?
Neither am I an oppressed minority or government expert, but that doesn’t mean I can’t reflect on the state of my Union. It's time for a little Common Sense as written by Thomas Paine 247 years ago. I have since learned that the first step to resist tyranny is to combat the lies. Do not go along with what you know is wrong.
My timidity had to be challenged.
If I did nothing, there would be no one to blame but myself. But what could one person do? I found Convention of States. I decided to check out the volunteer roles available.
Some clichés are true. There is strength in numbers. Being with others who share beliefs in individual responsibility, God-given rights, and Judeo-Christian values in empowering. COS offers a wealth of instruction on our founding principles and constitutional foundation.
When one person stands in resistance, it gives strength to others. Join now, before it’s too late.
