Thank you. It is never enough. When our son was murdered, along with 11 others, we naively thought surely this is enough. It was not. It is never enough because the gun industry makes their profits 😡. Stay safe. Take care of yourself in the storm ❤️
Your words have gotten me thru today. It’s always been personal to me..the escalator accompanied by the racism..As a granddaughter of an immigrant married to a great guy with parents who were not born here but found safety, I understand why this country is so beautiful. We all come from somewhere else (except Natives who are also getting arrested). The ignorance astounds me. I just had to comment because for the first time today, I am reminded there are so many more of us. Their hatred cannot destroy us. Thank you.
Thank you Ruth. To date, the most “nailed every point” narrative I have read about what has happened and what is happening right now now and why our literal lives depend upon acknowledging and understanding where we are right now and the urgent need to chart a better course.
Powerful piece that cuts through all the noise. The umbrella metaphor landed perfectly since we're really talking abut creating collective protection when government itself becomes the threat. I've been following these Minneapolis incidents and the way federal authorities instantly shape the narrative before investigations even begin is exactly what erodes any possibility of acountability. Building those community umbrellas might be the only thing left when institutions meant to protect us actively work against that goal.
The cultural climate of racial hatred and race-based violence in this country is buried as deep as the 3/5ths compromise — right at the heart of our constitutional system.
But every so often, the 100-year storm breaks through.
The 1850s: federal marshals hunting escaped slaves in northern cities, Anthony Burns marched to the ship through 50,000 Bostonian protesters.
The 1920s: CBP founded by Klansmen the same year the Second Klan peaked at millions. Harlon Carter kills a 15-year-old Mexican boy, later runs Operation Wetback, later transforms the NRA.
Now: chan-radicalized recruits with gaming aesthetics and crusader verses. "Maximum damage." "Domestic terrorist." Three dead in Minneapolis, all smeared before the bodies were cold.
The climate is getting warmer. The 100-year storms come more often now.
It's not that the shooters won't be punished. It's that this is what the administration wants. That it actively seeks. Trump wants people to - has offered money at his rallies for his supporters to beat up people, not to mention pardoning the J6 rioters - kill people who disagree with him. And even if ICE was somehow prosecuted - not that I think it happens - Trump would pardon the shooters.
Thank you. It is never enough. When our son was murdered, along with 11 others, we naively thought surely this is enough. It was not. It is never enough because the gun industry makes their profits 😡. Stay safe. Take care of yourself in the storm ❤️
I’m so sorry. It’s all so much.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your words have gotten me thru today. It’s always been personal to me..the escalator accompanied by the racism..As a granddaughter of an immigrant married to a great guy with parents who were not born here but found safety, I understand why this country is so beautiful. We all come from somewhere else (except Natives who are also getting arrested). The ignorance astounds me. I just had to comment because for the first time today, I am reminded there are so many more of us. Their hatred cannot destroy us. Thank you.
Thank you for reading and for sharing this with me 🧡
Thank you Ruth. To date, the most “nailed every point” narrative I have read about what has happened and what is happening right now now and why our literal lives depend upon acknowledging and understanding where we are right now and the urgent need to chart a better course.
Thank you for your kind words, and for reading the piece!
Hey Ruth. Thank you for your work. Your reflections are meaningful and we appreciate you. Stay connected. Keep on keeping on!! ❤️
Hi, my friend! Thank you for your kind words. And I am so grateful to be in this work with you!
Powerful piece that cuts through all the noise. The umbrella metaphor landed perfectly since we're really talking abut creating collective protection when government itself becomes the threat. I've been following these Minneapolis incidents and the way federal authorities instantly shape the narrative before investigations even begin is exactly what erodes any possibility of acountability. Building those community umbrellas might be the only thing left when institutions meant to protect us actively work against that goal.
Thank you for reading. Yes, the umbrella metaphor is the way I’ve been able to organize my thoughts and my heart. We keep us safe.
Ruth, thank you for this powerful piece. Naming it so clearly matters.
Thank you, Kathy. I agree, naming it does really matter.
Your thoughtful writing is a balm during terrifying times. Thank you. I am proud to share your work.
The storms always come.
The cultural climate of racial hatred and race-based violence in this country is buried as deep as the 3/5ths compromise — right at the heart of our constitutional system.
But every so often, the 100-year storm breaks through.
The 1850s: federal marshals hunting escaped slaves in northern cities, Anthony Burns marched to the ship through 50,000 Bostonian protesters.
The 1920s: CBP founded by Klansmen the same year the Second Klan peaked at millions. Harlon Carter kills a 15-year-old Mexican boy, later runs Operation Wetback, later transforms the NRA.
Now: chan-radicalized recruits with gaming aesthetics and crusader verses. "Maximum damage." "Domestic terrorist." Three dead in Minneapolis, all smeared before the bodies were cold.
The climate is getting warmer. The 100-year storms come more often now.
It's not that the shooters won't be punished. It's that this is what the administration wants. That it actively seeks. Trump wants people to - has offered money at his rallies for his supporters to beat up people, not to mention pardoning the J6 rioters - kill people who disagree with him. And even if ICE was somehow prosecuted - not that I think it happens - Trump would pardon the shooters.