Without a doubt, 2020 is going to go down as one of the most difficult years in history and its only June. We’re all being tested with Covid-19 and trying to adapt to a new way of life and in the last few weeks, new calls for police reform, education, and possible de-funding with the suffocating death of George Floyd while in police custody. Its not just the police that needs this, its all people who believe that what happened is acceptable and should continue to be the norm. It sickens me how that last part of that sentence is actually true.
The above picture was taken by Planet Labs “a global observation satellite network” (ladbible.com 1). Their mission is to “image the entire Earth every day and make global change visible” (ladbible.com 1). To drive the point even more, and I’m sure piss Trump off which let’s face it is always a bonus, this mural is painted on Sixteenth Street which leads right to the White House (ladbible.com 1). Each letter is 35 feet tall and the words take up the entire width of the street (ladbible.com 1). I wonder if Trump has even looked up from his phone or Fox News on TV to even notice? I think we all know the answer to that.
This mural was approved by the DC mayor, Muriel Bowser. Her chief of staff, John Falcicchio, had this to say about the mural:
“There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honour demonstrators who [were] peacefully protesting on Monday evening.”
John Falcicchio
Mayor Bowser herself announced that the street would be officially renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza” (ladbible.com 2). She continued her statement to elaborate:
“We want to call attention today to making sure our nation is more fair and more just and that black lives and black humanity matter in our nation. As Washingtonians, we simply all want to be here together in peace to demonstrate that in America, you can peacefully assemble, you can bring grievances to your government, and you can demand change.”
Mayor Bowser
The Mural And Other Shows Of Respect and Awareness Of The Movement
Even though Mayor Bowser’s words and actions seem to be a step in the right direction, the DC chapter of Black Lives Matter or BLMDC, does not agree or support the Mayor at all:
“This is a preformative distraction from real policy changes. Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history. This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands. Black Lives Matter means defund the police.”
Mayor Bowser
We are at a crossroads. We have fight in us but we also have divisions and cracks that are deepening and getting worse. Older generations and their like-minded supporters believe they are being attacked for how they have built up this country to where we are and see that how things are is the only way to live and the other side just needs to accept it. Younger generations and their like-minded supporters see all of the corruption, pain, injustice, and damage from the other side has caused us to be where we are now and they are trying to undo the systems so that they can help move us into a new chapter, a better chapter for our country, and have plenty of fight and commitment to hold their ground until this is made right. There are also obvious exceptions in both cases as well. This is a power struggle. The old side doesn’t want to let go of their power and doesn’t like change. The new side is tired of not being heard and not being taken seriously so they’re taking the reigns and trying to enact the change more and more people want. The coming months and years are going to set the stage for the future of our country and the world is watching. This is not something to be taking lightly. Keep staying safe and healthy everyone, we can all keep learning no matter what age or background. Education is key.
Featured Image: Planet Labs. Black Lives Matter Mural in Washington DC. June 5, 2020. Retrieved via
