Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Woke Virus
by Aiona


Hello, Aiona,

Americans have the right to protest peacefully and tear-gassing them is a violation of our constitutional law. I don't believe in looting. We have to get rid of Trump before he turns out country in a third world dictatorship.

Good entry for the
Two Line Poem contest. Good luck, my friend.

 Comment Written 05-Jun-2020

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reply by the author on 05-Jun-2020

Thanks, Gypsy. I remember the Oakland riots, and unfortunately I don't think they did any good either. I think story-telling and honest journalism is more helpful than protests in the streets, even without the coronavirus lockdown because there will always be looters that dilute the protests. Keep writing! :)

reply by Gypsy Blue Rose on 05-Jun-2020

I respectfully disagree. The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd shot one suspect, was involved in the fatal shooting of another, and received at least 17 complaints during his nearly two decades with the department. Nothing was done and he would have gotten away with it if someone didn't video taped George killing. The charge went from one police officer third degree murder to four police officers charged second degree...so the protestors have made a difference. People are tired of police brutality, it happens way too often and goes unpunished. We, white people, take for granted our privilege lives. We don't have to live in fear that a police could arrest us for no good reason and our lives would be in danger.i have a daughter and granddaughter in-law that live with that fear... it's real. They make sure the car registration is always up to d a te and they had to have a conversation with my granddaughter on how to deal with police if she is ever stopped. Change is hard but the status quo is not an option in this case. We have to do better. It's our responsibility.

reply by the author on 05-Jun-2020

I have also been the subject of racial profiling. So I know of the dangers of which you speak. I have been stopped by police twice in my life for doing nothing but walking in the park or shopping at a store, and threatened with a gun, for the color of my skin. I am also married to someone white, and my children are mixed. So violence against white people I do not condone either. I have friends who are mixed race as well, some of whom are good police officers. Some of them feared for their lives, because they don't look "black" enough. In these melees, people always make assumptions. It is our responsibility yes to end racism, but I have always tried to do that. Not just recently. I'm glad others are doing so too.

reply by Gypsy Blue Rose on 05-Jun-2020

I didn't mean to offend you. I know not all police officers are bad. There are plenty now that are even marching along the protestors. It's a difficult time for all of us. Did you watch the eulogy by Al Sharpton? It was moving...it made me cry. Be well and safe, my friend.

Comment from Mike Stevens

Excellent

Another fine short poem, Aiona--and I can't believe what I see on the news each day--last I looked we we considered a 'civilized' nation--what are we now?

 Comment Written 05-Jun-2020

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reply by the author on 05-Jun-2020

Thanks, Mike.

Comment from Janice Canerdy

Excellent

Talk about hitting the nail right on the head. You DID with this powerful two-liner. Those idiots throwing objects, looting, setting fires, . . . don't seem to realize they are making things WORSE. They are criminals.

 Comment Written 05-Jun-2020

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reply by the author on 05-Jun-2020

I don't think the looters are there for any principle of the thing. My ex-boyfriend was one of those stupid people. He convinced me to go to one of the protests back in Berkeley, during the Oakland riots, and I found out, he didn't even believe in any of what they were protesting against. HE was the one who threw a glass bottle into the crowd. He didn't care if it hit a person or a cop. But after he did that, the police charged the crowd, and everyone stampeded up Haste Street. I broke up with him shortly after. One of my friends just finished her police training in March, and she resigned last week because of all of this. She is black. In other words, all of this just chased away what could have been one of the best police officers in Tacoma. Oh well. I think the world works in mysterious ways, and I told her that her skills and training will go into something else that will help others.

Thank you for the review. (And sorry for the vent.)

reply by Janice Canerdy on 05-Jun-2020

Your friend, in my opinion, made a wise decision. As you say, she will find way to use her skills. So GLAD you didn't marry Mister Missile Thrower! :-)

Comment from phill doran

Excellent

Hello Aiona
Very caustic. And observant - timely.
It is a real challenge to say anything in 12 syllables AND find a rhyme, so well done to you.
Perhaps the topicality of your subject will hold you in good stead in the competition.
I wish you well with this piece
Cheers
phill

 Comment Written 05-Jun-2020

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reply by the author on 05-Jun-2020

Thanks, phill.