All Too Routine In This Country

I am going to veer slightly off the topic of art in this blog post to discuss human rights because art isn't going to matter anymore to the 10 people who were shot dead last Saturday in Buffalo New York. 

 

As an individual who attempts to "lead" a non-profit, it is important to pause and label what is happening in the state (and country) where I live and where I try to make sense of the world through the process of creating art.

 

 

Unfortunately the incident in Buffalo New York on Saturday was neither shocking nor unusual; it was typical of what goes on in this country. It is not uncommon in the U.S. that 10 people are killed by a white supremacist because he looked at their skin color and didn't think they had a right to be alive.

I'm not going to address the fact that 18-year olds can't buy alcohol but in this state but easily purchase  assault rifles (though that certainly doesn't help the situation).

I just think it is time to call attention to the fact that white supremacists are NOT living on the fringes of society in this country, and white supremacist ideas aren't only found in the dark corners of the internet. 

Every night millions of living rooms in this country tune into "news" programs that discuss Replacement Theory which fuels white supremacist actions, including actions like buying assault rifles and killing people of color.

Politicians regularly discuss replacement theory and other similar ideas to millions of people, including 18-year olds who can buy assault rifles and walk into stores to kill people of color.

Words are where hate starts but they can also be where hate stops.

So, I'm taking a moment from business (and blog posts) as usual to label things as they are. The legacy of hate in this country is very deep. And, if we can't name what is going on, we can't change it. 

 So let's call out what is being said every day in this country, let's identify it for what it is (white supremacist thinking) and what is does (spreads hate).

Maybe, just maybe, if we agree on the reality of this situation we can then come together to change it in our homes, our schools, through our art, and by our actions.