I just wanted to look at this picture for a moment. Just look at this picture, and see what comes to my mind. First I find it ironic on a few different levels. America has beat the black race for so long now its not surprising to see a picture like this. Its almost as if it was scripted its such an act of truth. If there was such a picture of a white man chocking out an Indian with the American flag, I would believe that too.
Since when do the actions of an entire nation reflect so crystal clear in the actions of one man? I had seen this picture, long ago, I had trouble finding it then, but I am recently reminded of it. Everything that is going on in America, reminds me of this picture. How Americanism is on the backs of so many of its people. How so many people are being oppressed, and repressed and denied rights all under the American flag, as if America her self where beating its citizens. As if someone was taking an American flag and flogging people.
This picture is alive, because it still happens. Something so minor as a desegregated bus system caused this picture to be taken. Desegregated bus system. I get on the bus daily, and don’t give a second thought about it being desegregated. The thought doesn’t even cross my mind, yet not even 100 years ago people were getting beat in the streets for that right.
American schools need to teach more of this, I should not have left High school never seeing this picture. I should not have left high school without knowing a lot of the things I know now. Yet, it was I who relied on other people to teach me things, that I could only teach myself. It does not behoove America to show this. It is not part of the American dream.
Everyday we are sold the American dream. Everyday we wake up in Disney land, everyday we are in a fantasy world believing we have it made, this is the life, and it doesn’t get any better than this. Black president, what else could a race ask for? Less than 100 years ago we were beating you with the same flag that one of your people is the commander and chief of. Oh how time flies.
Yet how can we forget, what we don’t even know? How can America be so full of itself, has it really fallen for the dream it sells the world round. Does it really believe that it can continue to trick at will?
Some of us, at one time or another have felt the blow of America on our backs. All of us have seen America beat someone into submission, whether we realized it or not. Be it country or person, we have been witness to American brutality.
America is a bully, America is that blow to the back, that kick to the stomach when you are down. America is soiling its self to cover its dirty past.
If we as Americans cannot look our past boldly in the eye, and admit where we have come from, what we were and what we did, then how can we as a people ever face where we are going?
