by Rain Trueax
Barrel cactus in Tucson
Someone we know was in Portland last week, the northeast part, an area of small businesses and ordinary homes. He was there to buy a canoe to take his sons camping. He related what he saw as being so sorry for what is happening in Portland, a city we have all loved. In that area, next to those nice little homes, on the streets and in the parks were homeless people, living and wandering the streets. It's bad for the homeless, and it felt sad what it must be like for the ones owning those homes.This isn't a rich neighborhood but ordinary working folks who worked hard for their tidy little homes. They have no way to know who will wander by or camp there.
What comes below might seem political to some. I think it's more cultural... Of course, I do lol if that's not of interest to you there is one more thing of interest at the end. One of my eBooks is free. Skim down if cultural issues are not of interest or you've read enough.
When my mom had me as a baby, there were hobos, what they were called then. She had one of them show up at her window. I was in a crib in the room. The guy wanted her to put her dog (a pit bull mix who was growling at him) away. She naturally did not. Dad worked nights. The man gave up and later that night another woman was raped on that street. She always felt, except for her mean sounding dog, that could have been her. Those were the years of encampments down along the railroad tracks. I am old enough to later remember the lights from their fires. They didn't camp in yards or parks.
I don't tell that story to say all homeless today are like that. I tell it partly because we need to be aware how cultures change. That what we think will be consistent, isn't always.
I read the BLM leaders calling for the killing of cops (Portland); saying that looting is reparations (Chicago); that whites are terrorists (NYC). So violence is hence justified and against any random person, like the Portlander beaten into unconsciousness. It could be anybody. Yes, white is evil by that standard but so is a black who doesn't agree with them.
Some are scared of the virus. I am more scared of what has been happening in the United States that encourages violence and doing away with law enforcement-- including ending prisons. I see things like this where disorder is justified: Seattle BLM protestors demand whites give up their homes
All of my books speak to the desire for law and order, for rules that make life better. There has been the struggle at times to make it equally so for all races but that was the goal of most. Is it still?
It is a very political time, but I don't watch any conventions. I am not into rhetoric and hence don't watch speeches either. Reading about them afterward is disturbing enough. For those who watched and talked about the recent convention. One group saw it filled with hate (especially for one man), presenting no plans to make things better. The other side saw it as filled with hope and encouragement. You can put your own labels on the political persuasion of each.
My concern totally is for our culture and where it's heading. Head in the sand will only emotionally protect people for so long. I wonder if we can correct wrongs and make it better for all who come after us. I know from what I read that some want to tear it all down and then rebuild in a new way. They can be vague on what that would look like. What if it looks like has been happening around the world where people also thought it could not. This video is not comforting but it is something about which to be aware in a time of change.
Who are the ones that want violence and actions that scare others for going out of their home or driving even on a freeway and being stopped while a so-called peaceful demonstration blocked all traffic. When has that ever been allowed without a response by law and order? Some cities quickly stop the freeway blockades (Tucson did) but others let it happen leaving drivers stuck-- or like the one guy trying to drive around it and killing someone by accident. His story would have gotten more coverage except he was black.
We have become so divided by gender, race, ethnicity, politics. I hear those who claim they can bring us back together but using what method-- when they win totally and can do whatever they want? This division is the real virus in my opinion, the need to blame someone else for whatever has gone wrong. I am an old woman and have never known a time like this where people are so filled with hate and rage. And if someone is not filled with rage, they are accused of being part of the problem. For those who might say it'll all be better when Biden wins... what if it's Trump who wins?
Add to it that we all have problems in our lives. I feel the need to find peace in nature but to not totally ignore what some cannot because of where they live. It can also help to get lost in a book. Until midnight the 23rd, one of my fantasy romances is free on Amazon for its eBook. Check it out. https://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B01GKH4DJA/ For those who have Kindle Unlimited, this whole series is also available to borrow.
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