November 3rd
The late Congressmen John Lewis.
The Tuesday after the first Monday in November of 2020 is setting up to be one one of the most formative elections in the history of the United States . We will be fighting for , as the Biden campaign puts it, “the soul of America”. Although I comprehend what he is saying , I would frame this election as formative from the sense of this election is not a battle for the posterity of the soul of America, but more specifically rather, a fight to define with the soul of America is .
The founding of this country was based on a paradox . We have founding members of our democracy forging arguably one of the greatest pieces of governmental documents known to Man. The conundrum is found in the fact the freedom and liberty this document espouses freedom and liberty as denied to many who dwelled here and on whose back build this country .
During the Trump administration , we have seen laws that have gone into place that clearly benefit the black community . The futures act was a bipartisan effort to secure permanent funding for HBCU ( historically black colleges) . This act, was a continuation of what the Obama administration had put in place . There are other gestures in kind that would paint the current POTUS as one who shines his benevolence upon the black and brown communities. However, we have to consider along side policies that are pro-black, what other rhetoric is being disseminated from the white house that can have an adverse affect on race relations in America, a disproportionate bias towards police and there behavior policies etc, and the perceived nature of black bodies in America.
Putting aside hetero-normative standards and beliefs, the core of the statement Black Lives Matter, is simply that, black lives as they stand today are of EQUAL importance of our white counterparts and of those who would also deem us as not so. Black lives deserve equal treatment from the police . The police force should not be absolved from judgement and punishment , but should obey the very laws they are sworn to protect . The Trump administration’s unwavering support of the police force , creates a very dangerous implicit approval of wanton violence and lethal bias towards black bodies . We at pprl find the rhetoric and action from the White House to be dangerous , irresponsible and a detriment to the democratic process .
President-elect Biden brings a contrarian approach and demeanor to the Oval Office . Our hope that this change in guard brings promise of decorum and unity . Police reform is a real discussion that needs to be had . The apocalyptic call for the dismantling of the police is one that is not palatable across a broad enough consensus to be a viable charge . However a strategic reformist plan such as community policing in brown and black communities the removal of immunity, and settlements being penalized to the departments that pay them out as opposed to tax payers may be steps that are practical .
Covid-19 still is a very real threat. Swift policy and action is needed to protect the most vulnerable, bolster the business owners financial arsenal to fight the market downturn and a federal answer to Social distancing / preventative measures .
The people have spoken . Joe Biden , congratulations . We hope you will lead with an open ear , engage with empathy and wisdom and create an atmosphere to heal a divided nation. Now is not the time for normalcy . We can not afford to merely go back to the days pre-Trump . We will need to go farther, think bigger and be better .