For several weekends I covered every ward in Washington D.C. passing out flyers to promote the DC Voice’s Summer Essay Contest–from churches to libraries, and even strangers on the street. I would even have given one to the National Guard … if I could find one. So, my question is, if they took over D.C., where were they hiding?
Truth be told, at least from this journalist’s perspective, this was one of the biggest cons going. That’s why The DC Voice insists on covering the District from the inside out. The national news outlets had the rest of the country believing that the National Guard was patrolling every street with automatic weapons at the ready. There were even some local suburbanites buying into the hype. Even “alleged” citizens were somehow feeling safer to come out and walk the streets again. I guess if you can intimidate the media enough to present facts the way you want them to, then anything is possible.
So, now that they have left D.C., what’s the story now? Have those unprotected citizens gone into an early hibernation? Stereotypes and myths continue to be pervasive in the American ethos. It’s never too far from the surface or out of the minds of many who vow they aren’t racist, homophobic, transphobic, or whatever phobic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a long way from being a liberal. My first thought is truly live and let live, and people should seek to be happy first and foremost. But when people decide they can dictate what happiness is, then that’s a bridge too far.
Having lived in blue states, red cities, red and blue neighborhoods, I’ve found one thing to be consistent: people want to be left alone and live their lives. So, now they’ve moved on to Chicago to make a big initial splash. Then they’ll move on to the next city to incite the passions of those that walk around with the pointed tip of a Klan mask peeking out of their back pockets.
For me, and most African Americans, we will try to focus on the realty in front of us day-to-day. Whether it’s the rising costs to live, health care, daycare or taking care of our aging loved ones, and other necessities of life. Let’s leave the hype and crazy to others.
Featured image/photo by Jonathan delange on Unsplash.