Like you, I've been contemplating for awhile how we seem to have been driving full speed towards the abyss on multiple fronts... climate change, income inequality, backlash to social equality efforts, disinvestment from public goods and services, etc.
If the metaphor is a car careening towards a cliff, you reach a point where "moderate" solutions are no longer adequate to avoid disaster. We're clearly in that stage where only something deemed "radical" by many can actually change our collective course. The gooey center might prefer we take our foot off the gas and still roll over the edge, but at a more seemingly controlled rate of speed. The extreme right would prefer to cut the brake lines entirely if possible.
If these students are "radical" in mostly peacefully protesting against military violence and putting their own wellbeing and collegiate futures on the line, I think that's more a statement about just how terrible the problems really are, and that our recourse has to be strong and swift. Sometimes the only way to defeat cancer is chemotherapy. We're in that moment as a society.
I guess it remains to be seen if we'll allow those with the courage to do the RIGHT thing in hard times to actually turn this car around, or if those who prefer the status quo, even if it's dysfunctional and destructive will prevail.
I'm squarely on the side of people who value human lives and our collective wellbeing as a society and a species, over power and money.
just saw this come through the NYT... another ray of hope: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/us/brown-divestment-deal.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ok0.fUSG.oTXA5ht92o81&smid=url-share
Happy May Day!
Like you, I've been contemplating for awhile how we seem to have been driving full speed towards the abyss on multiple fronts... climate change, income inequality, backlash to social equality efforts, disinvestment from public goods and services, etc.
If the metaphor is a car careening towards a cliff, you reach a point where "moderate" solutions are no longer adequate to avoid disaster. We're clearly in that stage where only something deemed "radical" by many can actually change our collective course. The gooey center might prefer we take our foot off the gas and still roll over the edge, but at a more seemingly controlled rate of speed. The extreme right would prefer to cut the brake lines entirely if possible.
If these students are "radical" in mostly peacefully protesting against military violence and putting their own wellbeing and collegiate futures on the line, I think that's more a statement about just how terrible the problems really are, and that our recourse has to be strong and swift. Sometimes the only way to defeat cancer is chemotherapy. We're in that moment as a society.
I guess it remains to be seen if we'll allow those with the courage to do the RIGHT thing in hard times to actually turn this car around, or if those who prefer the status quo, even if it's dysfunctional and destructive will prevail.
I'm squarely on the side of people who value human lives and our collective wellbeing as a society and a species, over power and money.
Solidarity. The pic from Antarctica is heartwarming and powerful.
Would you be interested in debating over the Israel Palestine protests?
Would you be interested in a debate?
Would you be interested in a debate?