In today’s world, only privileged people say “I don’t support violence of any kind”

It is a technique of distancing because of discomfort. Behind the “violence” of these protests is an entire civil”i”zation’s history of rabid violence against its own people, which continues today. Violence cloaked in consumer habits for low-cost goods made in subhuman conditions worldwide…but out of our sight. Violence in a rape culture popularized from Disney to Universal, Rap to Country, and beyond.

Violence in our work out gear, our yoga clothes (no irony there), in mass factory farms of greens promoting monoculture destruction of diverse ecosystems (yep, you thought I was going to say beef) all for those spirit elevating green juices.

Violence in our factory meat production, in our addiction to technology and the cobalt needed for those batteries taken via violence as Africans are robbed of their land, health, and history.

Violence in the reservations set away from public view where Indigenous culture has had its roots ripped up, raped, burned, stomped on, and set ablaze again.

Violence in religion, yes, religion, where belief after belief has been forcibly thrust down the throat and into the bodies of indigenous people on every continent since religion was created.

So, when I hear people say, I cannot condone violence of any kind, which aspect do they mean?

It must be nice to remove one’s self so far from the reality and history of those around you that you can negate the emotions, the rage, the frank history that propels the so-called violence.

In fact, to stand by and “not condone” is to stand with the oppressor who says repeatedly “if you would just comply there won’t be violence”

No, the time for absolution from violence has come to an end. It is time to be violent, to be rabid and vocal, to stand, link arms, defend, hold strong.

It is time to tear down these violent laws, these violent churches, these violent consumer habits, and claim restitution.

We cannot sit and cower from our anger, we cannot sit and have pleasant intellectual discourse, we did that, and it got us here.

~TwoMoon

 
 
Kristeen Irigoyen-Hernandez
Human Rights Advocate, Researcher/Chronological Archivist and member in good standing with the Constitution First Amendment Press Association (CFAPA.org)

Kristeen Irigoyen-Hernandez aka Lady2Soothe Follow @OurVoicesEcho