Snapped these images quickly today from my iPhone 6.9.20 – finally able to get out to check on my Mom in person – with social distance and mask.
We are still in the midst of the protests there’s still a pandemic, and those with elderly parents can understand what that’s like. Judging by the volume of people out with so many out and about, seems as they many feel the pandemic is over.
I remain cautious and shelter in place only going out for essential errands. Along the way driving to my mothers house seeing so many businesses boarded up was a bit surreal and apocalyptic while other businesses, restaurants are open and unscathed – very much a dichotomy.
The signs reflect an atmosphere we’ve never seen – and more diversity than we’ve ever seen against police excessive force, brutality and racism. The murder of George Floyd, the visual of the cruelty 8:46 minutes as he plead for his life and mother impacted the global consciousness. These signs are in my neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Hollywood and West Hollywood where the population is primarily white and Jewish who now see what Blacks have been saying for decades about systemic racism and a need for police reform and accountability. That’s what makes what’s happening now even more powerful. It’s not just blacks who understand what “Black Lives Matter” is all about in this moment in society in the human race of which we all matter but it is the important issue of actual change with regard to racism and being anti-racist.
Everyone needs to continue pushing for change beyond this moment, younger generation all races together. This is not a political issue – it’s a human issue.
It was important for me to stop along the way and capture these before they are removed – the fight must continue beyond these sentiments and signs – from these businesses and those who have been guilty or complicit in acts of systemic racism, discrimination and brutality. In the midst of everything going on the killings continue as well as small steps of change such as Breonna’s Law putting an end to no knock warrants in Louisville https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/11/875466130/no-knock-warrants-banned-in-louisville-in-law-named-for-breonna-taylor
Stay healthy and safe- wear a mask, be considerate of others. Keep your head up.
