Statement on Current Issues · 5:48pm Jun 2nd, 2020

I want to address the elephant in the room for one moment. For the past week, I have been angry. Angry over the fact that injustice happened. The same injustice that has been around for 50 to 100 years in the United States all because of systemic racism. The same systemic racism that I have experienced myself in my lifetime. From being followed by cops as I was walking to work to being seated at an empty space at a restaurant and not get served. Crazy thing is, I'm Hispanic; and I still get discriminated against by institutions that are supposed to help people regardless of racial backgrounds. This needs to stop someway or somehow.

As for the unrest that took place, I do not appreciate the violence from those who seek it. The Bible tells me that "Thou shall not murder", "Thou shall not steal" and "Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods". Even it tells me "When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7). I believe that they're other ways of making protest without violence. However, with this in mind, I do understand where the riots come from.

Just like my point of view, Martin Luther King Jr also condemned the rioting. However, he understood the frustrations by mentioning that "Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so in a real sense, our nation’s summers of riots are caused by our nation’s winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention" For so many years, many tried to protest the unjust American society by peaceful protest, speeches, art, music, symbolic protest, civil disobedience, militarization, and provocative protest. All of these methods of trying to get their voices heard have met with either deaf ears, criticism, or dismissiveness. Unfortunately, after many times of protesting and the unjust still happening, the riots were the last resort and the consequence of frustrations being ignored.

Notice how many privileged areas in the United States are targeted? Notice how most businesses targeted are corporately owned? It seems that the protests about George Floyd and the foolish acts of the rioters are more than what they've centered around. This is an attempt to overthrow the old system of racism and classism. to put this in perspective, this is a revolution.

While yes I condemn the acts of bloodshed that have been occurring for the past week, I also do recommend some stuff if anybody is interested in taking part in making changes. Today is "Black Out Tuesday". This is the day when all of the distractions such as social media and other forms of entertainment are shut down in protest. Of course, just like I'm doing here, you too can post your expression and thoughts on this on social media. Of Course, this is not enough; you can do more than just a post. For today, to take part, it is recommended to donate to an organization of your choice that is leading in the fight against institutionalized racism (Links will be provided below). You can also sign petitions for justice to be served for those who commit injustice, and you can also participate in a peaceful protest (Check your social media to find a protest near you). Of course, this will take generations for racism as a whole to be a thing in the past, however, it is best to make changes one step at a time.

The Elements of Harmony resemble friendship, and so do leaders such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John F Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Cesar Chavez. Just remember Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness, Honesty, and Laughter. While of course, humans don't have literal magic, we do have magic in regards to our imagination and what we can do to make changes. If Twilight and her friends can spread love and friendship all over Equestria, you too can spread it in your community.