Margaret Meade's words come to mind:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

And when that small group becomes a big group, look out!

Nancy Wick's quote by Margaret Meade is spot on. I also think that when people of stature such as Colin Powell come out clearly stating they can no longer support trump, then the tide is hopefully turning.

I took a break from the news on Sunday, and missed the Colin Powell comment. Is it too soon to hope others will wake up to the villain in the White House?

I agree with you most heartily! And most if not all of your readers feel the same, I think. But we’re preaching to the choir here. I just read a BBC article featuring a few, probably privileged white individuals, who just seem to be wearing blinkers. How can anyone be exposed to what is happening and not feel empathy for these beleaguered people? I understand people fearing for their safety and security, but that fear is born if ignorance. It boggles the mind. So my point is, some of those knowledgeable, well spoken individuals who are the talking heads on the national news and in the political field need to somehow get across to those blinkered individuals what is going on.
Disclaimer: I am Canadian and we have our problems here too, with some racist treatment of our ethnic minorities.

I heard the term for the fence around the Whitehouse is the baby gate . I finally laughed for the first time in days.

BTW - Love you and all you do.

There seem to be more people who have a voice standing up to this president, FINALLY. As for the fence, I saw a picture this morning where it's been covered with signs and artwork. It has taken on a life of its own, different from what it was supposed to do. I am proud of the people who have the energy and ability to tackle this horrendous situation. I'm cheering for them. Oh, and you, too, Ronni. Your voice is still heard, loud and clear.

it does seem that a powerful force has been unleashed. I just hope that it's a positive one and that things move forward soon. It's great to see so many coming out to support change that's so long overdue, but we've got a very long way to go. Sometimes things can evolve quickly, sometimes it's back and forth for decades and nothing significant is ever achieved. Only time will tell, but we should have a pretty good indication after the election. John Oliver's program last night addressed this and it was very strong. For those who haven't seen it, it can be viewed on YouTube.

Hello Ronni et al,

Though I'm a long-time reader and admirer, this is perhaps only the 2nd or 3rd time I've commented. You all do such a wonderful job! But today I'll share with you a note that my brother sent me yesterday. It seems so calm and sensible, and it fills me with a deep hope for the future that I will not see, either.
_____________

I have felt the same way a lot, too about 2020. But in the last three weeks it has seemed more and more likely to me that, actually, what we’re living through is a long-overdue confrontation with the set of malevolent attitudes, behaviors and institutional arrangements that have made our country a not very nice place for a long time — in many ways since its founding. But especially since Reagan, a just and decent regard for social, economic and political dignity due fellow citizens has been struggling intensely, not even to prevail but just to survive. With Trump’s accession and his personifying the apotheosis of these national evils, the struggle necessarily became more pointed and public. And in response, Trump, the militarized police, the organized rich and the Republican Party, sensing they are threatened and desperately trying to put a lid on it, chose to act especially badly without realizing their methods and motives and the evil of the realities they advance were suddenly becoming visible. Thank God for smart phones. And maybe Covid-19. Who knows whether America would have noticed if sports were still blanketing TV and restaurants, malls and concerts were still overflowing and work and school were still demanding so much time and effort of so many that they didn’t have or take the opportunity to observe so clearly with their own eyes and ears what were truths and what were lies. And what if they didn’t have the extra time and energy to speak out and go march and experience the uplift that comes from unity for a cause larger than their daily needs. It is perhaps because of this unexpected opportunity for people to really pay attention and reflect that the words and actions of Trump, the cops, and the Repubs have become so increasingly apparent and repugnant to so many more people. And the evidence of this seismic shift is undeniable in all the polls, as well as in the sudden speaking out by a wide range of heretofore neutral figures and the visible dynamic on TV. It clearly feels like the fascists are losing significant measurable ground that they cannot likely retake and that finally there is reasonable probability for some historically positive change in achieving the American promise here and for the world. I feel especially good about the vast mass of youngsters who are so intelligently and bravely leading the way to a better place for us all and future generations. I am so impressed, not only with their numbers, but in particular with their mature, critically important and determined focus on voting. Yes, they are risking much from the virus — as are all who march. They are the real American warriors placing their bodies at hazard for national ideals and to reforge an otherwise potentially dark future for their and future generations of society. They are not the crybabies who couldn’t bear going 2 weeks without their hair and nails being done that Trump went on about. To be sure we can count on — and must be ready for — many more ugly, vicious reactions by him and the forces of hate among us he stirs. So it does not seem to me that prevailing will be easy. I don’t see how it won’t still require a prolonged, intense, smart and unrelenting effort by the decent. Indeed, the moment feels a bit like like what I imagine living during the the Civil War was like. But I believe it likely the Union will win again. We just need to get an more enduring Reconstruction right this time. And it appears to me that as a society we at long last may well be up to it. But what an incredible time. Take heart. Stay safe.

Aging Leftie here. But I also sort of follow some right wing blogs.

They have all been in agreement that the economy is in trouble, and they're probably correct. They also predict that in times of scarcity, competition will fan conflicts between races, between ethnic groups, and between generations. They foresee so much conflict that an oppressive government will be established in the future.

Mr. Floyd has forced us to face our racism and xenophobia. He has also exposed authoritarianism in the country and we are disgusted by it. Maybe the right-wingers are mistaken.

We cannot bring the dead back to life but perhaps we can use those deaths to prevent other casualties.

I've been following with interest the events in the US (I am Portuguese). I am terribly sorry for the generous American people who are under the rule of such an ignoramus dictator. I strongly hope this situation will be corrected in 5 months by voting him out. VOTE, use your main weapon. I remember vividly when we could not vote in my country, barely 45 years ago, under fascist rule. Don't waste that powerful tool!
As for the BLM movement, I congratulate all of you.
But...I wish I could see all this indignation and strength in the fight against violence against women. Everyday, in every country in the world, women of all ages, races and creeds are battered, murdered, raped, exploited, trafficked, discriminated against. There is also a sistemic discrimination against women who are still considered inferior in many countries and treated as such. And this is condoned by state and national institutions. Everytime a woman is beaten, raped, exploited, murdered, there should be a wave of indignation and repulse. But there are just a few weak ripples, not enough to end violence and discrimination against women. When I see those young women screaming in the cities of America against racism, I ask myself: «what about sexism in all it's horrendous forms?» Bring it also to the forefront!
There are more women in the world than men: black , white, brown, arabic, indian, chinese, mongolian, japanese, maori, aborigene and so on, and ALL OF THEM can be victims of any form of violence because the States condone it and the general silence accepts it.
I wish violence and sistemic discrimination agains women would move as many people as this movement does. Are black lives more important than women's lives?

A timely post, Ronni, and a good one. Could something be finally happening? After marching in SF in the ‘60s, I believed the country would change, but it did not, much. Unfortunately racism has been particularly entrenched in America society; it is part of its history – a heavy past. I lived in Georgia for 45 years and saw that police injustice towards people of color there was endemic. Now I’m also living in Nashville and this week a Teens for Equality group led a BLM march of more than 10,000, one of the largest mass protests in Nashville, Tennessee. So there is hope, definitely, that this time change will happen.

Bunker Man draws huge comparisons to another fuhrer. Yes, change is in the air, it took one man's murder to bring it all together and the rage burst through.
Fingers crossed.

XO
WWW

Love what you wrote, Roni, as always, but trump's action last week at the church was also a dog whistle to his Evangelical supporters who believe a precursor to the Rapture is a time of race wars....

Also a protester from the 60's who took up marching again for the Women's March after Trump's election. I am gratified that so many young people have taken up the cause now that our age group is prohibited from marching due to the virus.

As much as I criticize young people for seemingly recording every moment of their lives, had it not been for the young person who videoed the entire murder of Mr. Floyd, we would not be having this discussion.
The young man pleading with the officer to remove his knee from Mr. Floyd's neck is haunting.

I really hope this moment has signaled a change in systemic racism, and that more funds are provided for mental health, drug issues, homelessness, employment and all the other issues that plague so many citizens of color.

The times, they are a changing.

What a time we are living in....I second especially the 2 comments prior to this one.

I attended a professional conference for C.E.U.s in Los Angeles during the same week as the 1992 Watts riots and after a few months it all died down. I hope and pray this time it will be different and lead to changes that are so badly needed for minorities.

Thank you, Ronni, for this wonderful post. I am also too old to get out there with the crowds to march but I am with them in spirit, supporting the peaceful protests.

From Next Door in my neighborhood:
"Today not 5 mins after posting a BLM sign a woman driving a black Land Cruiser trespassed and attempted to remove our sign. My husband stopped her and she continued to argue with him and told him 'I live in your neighborhood, I’ll be back.'"

Apparently there are those who believe, "I deserve all that I have but black people don't deserve opportunities." She was not ashamed to be prejudiced. She had no empathy for suffering people. How can one live in society and not have a wider frame of reference than one's own comfortable life?

If you want to live in a communist/socialist country , anyone , can move. There are plenty of them out there. Can we leave the U.S. alone as a Democrat Republic. Why must we who live here and like it, change .
I had high hopes for what Barack Obama was promising . I hoped so much that it would be a good run for him and what he promised.
He had a chance and 8 years and still changed nothing for the better.

A U.S. citizen who doesn't want socialism or communism or a government telling me what to do and when to do it. That is who I am.

In a word: YESSSS.

The protests and James Mattis's statement have given me a jolt of hope for the first time in at least three years.