Deflating Tensions in America's Egregious Social Climate…

My fellow Americans, in our hearts we know our democracy is broken... IS failing; miserably. The fractured but courageous resistance we see within our nation's first and other peoples on police brutality; on environmental racism; on financial meltdowns that enrich bankers and politicians; can guide our awareness and action but first we must see and acknowledge the fallacy of America we've been indoctrinated with... I know, inconvenient - and if true in our enlightenment, it will force revaluation of our ethics in action; of our patriotism in action... And of what conviction must we unearth to truly know and ensure freedom - for all? Is this conviction misguided like the hateful selfishness and entitlement of a scared minority who obviously believes in hegemonic rule and policy? Is it ensconced in the trappings of comfort, love of money and power? Or are the American people stronger than the illusory matrix that has woven the current strain of xenophobia and corporatocracy to dangerous proportions? Do we love ourselves and our nation enough to stand up like patriots? Like the resistance of Native Americans, veterans and others fighting the oil pipeline being laid in Dakota? Like the resistance in communities across the country when para military police forces encroach upon the rights of people to peacefully assemble? My people have seen these hoses and all manner of physical constraint before - and in the now - and know the trauma these type of systemic treatments in the face of oppression and totalitarianism inflict; as do the Native Americans who continue persecution under the mantra of ‘Manifest Destiny; 2017.’ "Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini. The people must begin their intellectual, ethnic and community cross fertilizations now... A real resistance and democracy can only be achieved collectively. Many of my ethnic centered and other race and faith driven compatriots will resist this, but my mind's eye is right. Race and religious allegiance; along with the pernicious nationalism being manipulated by the power structure, will shackle our ability to resist the encroachment upon our human rights and to envision a new national identity. These are key wedges in the oppression of the American citizenry and their psychological sheaths in our hearts and minds must be unfolded! Humane living and treatment for all must become nonnegotiable in this new political and economic design. The Republic was never designed for egalitarian rule; read it - it was one of a limited few elucidations of Socrates' brilliant mind that left me most disappointed. A new paradigm is needed. The window is small America. Our lives and our progeny's lives will depend on this re-visioning. Or our inability to work across constituencies, across race, class, and theology will continue to destroy the democratic promise. Which will you choose?

Social Blogging by Tyrone A. Gaskins, 01/2017