Minneapolis

I’ve started and scrapped this post so many times that I’ve lost count. Pretty much each one had a different prominent emotion from rage, to empathy, to despair, and had a slightly different angle of approach.

Sadness was constant.

I’m sad that we still live in times where the attitudes that justify the behaviour in Minneapolis isn’t the odd case.

I’m sad that racism or abuse of power or both led to the excessive force used to murder someone.

I’m sad for the family.

I’m sad for anyone that experiences hints, flashes, or obvious displays of it regularly.

I’m sad that an entire community has been pushed to the point where violent reactions seem the only recourse to express their rage against sustained injustice.

I’m sad for the countless good law enforcement officers that are just as disgusted by the atrocious actions of some of their own and will be judged based on them rather than the good work they do day in and day out in an incredibly difficult and often thankless job.

I’m sad that in the social mosaics and melting pots we once took pride in, we are increasingly intolerant of each other based on our differences, often miniscule.

I’m sad that the identity politics that progressives champion pit us against each other rather than uniting us.

I’m sad that the attitude of “you’re either with us or against us” is the prevailing attitude. I’m sad that in an attempt to bridge the gap between the proverbial black and white, there is no room for shades of grey.

I’m sad that the fragile facade of generally lawful and peaceful society remains so easily combustible on so many lines of needless division.

I’m sad that too many of us just don’t care.