Evolution, Revolution, neither of both - part II

 Evolution or Revolution - part II

Let’s think about this topic - evolution or revolution - and a third option - keeping the status quo.

There is an old adage:  There are those that make a change in the world, those who watched the change in the world, and those who said “huh?  What change”!!

First Keeping the Status Quo.  These are the third group above.  Generally, these are the ones in power.  We are happy; we have plenty; things are going our way - so why should we change?  In recent weeks I might have looked at this as the male leaders of a country when considering the question “Why should we change?”.  One-hundred years ago, the male leaders of the United States granted voting rights to women.  There were then (and maybe - secretly - now) those who were opposed to letting women vote.  They might (at least in spirit) be the same as those who said “why let free slaves vote” (or - why should we let black Americans vote)?  Or, why let people who don’t own property vote? Universal suffrage? Why?

I don’t blame these people. Life is good right where we are.  I have a job, or I am nicely retired.  I’m not at danger for violence in my neighborhood, I’m not going to get shot if I get stopped for a routine traffic stop.  BUT, that may not be true for ALL Americans!!  

Is a change needed?  Again, depends on who is looking at the question.  Some will say “NO CHANGE” - we are happy; and some will say “This system is lopsided - against blacks and minorities.” 

It might be like the supposed prayer, “God bless Mom, God bless Dad, God bless my brother, and God bless me - us four, no more”.  

Please excuse me for a LONG quote from the band Chicago’s Dialogue song in 1972.  This is a dialogue between two people - one in favor of change and one who doesn’t seem to sense the need for change - at the end of the Vietnam war / Richard Nixon era.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTDmkZNHpQ0 - for the video / singing

(1) Are you optimistic 'Bout the way things are going?
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(2) No, I never ever think of it at all|
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(1) Don't you ever worry When you see what's going down?
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(2) Well, I try to mind my business, That is, no business at all
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(1) When it's time to function As a feeling human being, will your
Bachelor of Arts help you get by?
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(2) I hope to study further, A few more years or so.
I also hope To keep a steady high
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(1) Will you try to change Things, use the power that you have, The power of a million new ideas?
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(2) What is this power you  Speak of and this need for things to Change?
I always thought That everything was fine, everything Is fine
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(1) Don't you feel repression just Closing in around?
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(2) No, the campus here is very, very free
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(1) Don't it make you angry
The way war is dragging on?
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(2) Well, I hope the President
Knows what he's into, I don't know. Oh, I just don't know  (aside - this was in 1972 - when Nixon was running for a second term)
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(1) Don't you ever see the starvation In the city where you live, all the
Needless hunger all the Needless pain?
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(2) I haven't been there lately, The country is so fine, but my
Neighbors don't seem hungry 'cause They haven't got the time, haven't got The time
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(1) Thank you for the talk,You know you really eased my mind.
I was troubled by the shapes Of things to come.
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(2) Well, if you had my Outlook your feelings would be Numb,
you'd always think That everything was fine, Everything was fine.
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The first person (marked at (1)) is asking the second person (2) if he sees the need to reach out and change things - and the second person doesn’t see the need at all (and as a college student comments, “I hope to study further, A few more years or so. I also hope To keep a steady high)

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So, the question to me becomes - do we need to evolve in this country and in this world? 

In this country, we have black Americans yelling “Black Lives Matter” and white (and other Americans saying “All lives matter” (and “Blue Lives Matter”).

We are in a pandemic - where black Americans seem to be taking it more on the chin.

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I don’t know the answer - but I know the process requires listening and open dialog.  Hopefully, we can put our megaphones down long enough to say the ‘other side’ (whichever side that is) is really just “us” as well!!!

And, I still believe that LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen

(More tomorrow)