Here we are, my first political post. I hate it a little. But, some people have urged me to share my thoughts on the current state of our country. Possible solutions, where I stand, and where our country might be going. Fun things of that nature. My thoughts are not fine tuned, nor do I think myself most wise. But, I hope that in some way, by putting this out there, we can have good discussion.
With that being said, there are some things I simply don’t care to change. For instance, if you want to try to convince me to vote republican or democrat or even libertarian. Give up now! I thank you in advance.
I also want to say that I want to learn to be more positive about change, and especially more prayerful for all. First, I want to take a minute to talk about why I focus more on certain issues as opposed to others.
I’m going to focus a lot on Civil rights, particularly for those who are both overlooked by many and suffering greatly. Right now and especially throughout our history this involves Black lives, Native Americans, Arabic people, Hispanics, other POC, and immigrants. Though I know very little about the issues LGBTQ people face, it’s certain they are not treated equally or humanely by many in our country. I could really grow in my understanding of all these issues.
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With that being said, I don’t feel these things can be solved entirely by the government. And I do not believe there are many politicians of any affiliation who have their best interests in mind. So this is not purely political.
I want it to be bigger than that. I know it’s cheesy but I’m going to use MJ’s song, so prepare to cringe. “I’m starting with the man in the mirror…Take a look at yourself and make that change.” Etc. You remember that catchy song? Yes, it’s true. This whole thing starts with taking a look at what’s in all of us. The tendency to disenfranchise other people. And I’m not talking about just their ideas. I mean literally disregard people based on their skin color, economic status, religion, sex, etc.
I’m talking about the fact that we need to consider the areas where we have been trained to overlook, even if it is subconscious. Because in many cases it is! Unfortunately I am very late to this party. What I mean by that is, I have been ignorant of so many of these issues nearly all my young life. And I still am. So right there is an example or the first step. Admitting we are probably ignorant of many civil issues that haven’t effected us.
Most importantly, just because we don’t see something or feel it’s effects, that doesn’t make it obsolete. We white people have not been black. I’m not saying we should be ashamed of that either, or to try to save black people. They don’t need or want us to save them. And I want to touch more on that later because it’s fundamental to understanding how we can go forward. I think we should take a look at what our country is, what it was; and as I said before, where it is headed.
So where were we? Well, we were founded on “Christian principles” which were mingled with slavery and genocide. Our country even justified these things continually with misinterpreted and completely out of context Scriptural passages. They established a traditon of interpretation which clearly was biased against black people, women, and Indians.
They dehumanized all of them in different ways that are all important to take a look at. But read a book about the daily lives, the pride of Indian nations, and their systematic and nearly total destruction. Read from their perspective too, you will find as I have that our ancestors robbed them of both their lives and lands. (I didn’t say read a political book, I said read a historical one).
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Then read from the perspective of black slaves, upon whom a large portion of our economy relied. That’s right, from their perspective, they were not considered human by our ancestors. And that’s the perspective that counts. Consider how they were ripped from their homeland. Read about the Civil War and how that was certainly not the end of it all. Then read about the in between. Before civil rights movements, during, and after, all the way to today. Consider their struggle, try to put yourself in their shoes as much as possible. (As we should always do when we don’t understand someone and realize we don’t treat them equally because of it).
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We can read about the lives of women who were “put in their place” by misguided religious and bigoted movements.
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And we’ll find one thing in common, after looking at these three issues. They are all humans, created by God, only they were not equal to Americans. And they were not regarded as such when this country was built. To refute that is ignorant of historical fact, as a significant portion of the founding fathers who contributed to our constitution and DOC showed with their actions that they did not view ALL people equally.
Pause and consider the propaganda and bias running through your head, as it does mine. And remember, we may not want it to be true and I know I haven’t experienced it, but that doesn’t change what history records. We proceeded to build this nation on a legacy of “God given rights” to the land, to kill, and to enslave. Purely because our ancestors believed whiteness to be Supreme. And yes, that is a fact, not a political statement.
I’m not overlooking positives either, such as the fact that people could worship freely. That’s incredible, except for the fact that only some are free in this historical context. So, not all people could worship freely. Not all people could pursue life liberty or happiness. That was all a lie to them, because they wrote it with one hand and with the other hand they choked the life out of people different than them (sort of metaphorically, hyperbole to prove a point).
And I could go on, but I’ve begun the process of going over what we were. It continued to worsen until our country abolished some forms of slavery, but continued to enslave others secretly as well as treat many people as inhuman. Unacceptable. And it still happens today. It didn’t vanish magically, we inherited a legacy, a culture, a system of government, of justice, etc. And the problem is it is NOT for all, it never was and it is not going to be if we cannot change our own selves.
Unfortunately the government of every country has been this way, and continues to be in different ways and varying degrees of severity. Why? Because this is a body of people. And we can’t expect the system to change if we don’t first change our own thinking, or develop new values by deconstructing bad ways of thinking.
I’m thinking right now of the few hundred years black people have spent fighting for their lives and rights and it wasn’t that long ago they were able to be considered regular citizens. It wasn’t that long ago that our police system was founded to enforce justice, except when it was founded it was systematically against POC. Look it up, that is a fact.
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And the system hasn’t changed?!?!? Why? Why are both sides of the political spectrums okay with that? Shame on people who put on the guise of helping in the democratic party, but do nothing at all. And especially shame on anyone who has expected black people, or other POC to fix their own problems.
A simple look at history shows us that our ancestors started this cycle, and it wasn’t long ago. And we inherited our way of life and thinking from them. That’s huge! Think about the inhumane biases we have that were taught subversively and culturally. We don’t consciously think if all those things, they are just there.
With all that being said, we need complete reformation of the entire justice and legal systems; and we should even consider governing differently. I will stand on that hill. While I’m aware that we have positive democratic ideals, I will touch on how we can preserve some of those; we must let go of and refute other old ways of thinking and ruling.
UP NEXT, I promise to later discuss:
Where we are at right now, what has changed and what hasn’t
Why we call the issue white supremacy instead of white privilege
Why it is unacceptable to be intolerant towards Muslim and even Arabic people whilst claiming that we want liberty for all
Focusing less on keeping people out and more on how to rule justly and peacefully
Why we don’t get a medal or stamp of approval from God, and what that way of thinking and speaking does to people
How I do not affiliate with the democratic and republican parties
![](https://luke532.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/nooo-god-no-god-please-no-no-no-nooooooooooooo.jpg)
How social media can be used as a medium to dehumanize one another, and how I believe speaking one on one, face to face, can positively reinforce moving forward together
Why we can’t keep this country the way it is, because it is only “great” for some
Why I am critical of pro life republicans whilst being pro life myself
Why I am unafraid to write a new constitution, and change our system of government, and how I think it can help us adapt to a completely different world and people
How I think compromise for some can be achieved but it may be to late for others
How Orthodox Christianity preserves a Traditon of equality for all, and how the government can’t and will not always live up to that.
Why I’ve decided to change personally, which I view as least important but it gives context. But more importantly, how I need to grow.
MAYBE UP NEXT: Probably considered more in future writings, and less guaranteed subjects but definitely spicy ones:
Empowering women is a good thing, even a Christian thing *gasp*
LGBTQ issues
The national debt is probably a joke and I’m really tired of talking points surrounding the fact that we think we could pay it/and how do we know it’s even all applicable today?
Why we could focus less on hating rich people and more on balancing our market to monitor big companies like insurance companies, etc etc etc etc
Rioting, protesting, and how unfortunately none of it is changing anything (positively) right now. What can we do instead? (This one will suck and im not looking forward to it at all)
Why I struggle with 100% political apathy, even when I want to give in pretty much every day and sit back and give up
I don’t believe in the two party system
Mixed government is superior to elite democracy, and good riddance ** YOU MEAN DOWN WITH THE REPUBLIC/DEMOCRACY/ELITISM/NATIONOLISTIC SYSTEM GRRRRRR HOW DARE YOU HATE EVERYTHING YOU HATER?!**
![](https://luke532.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DwPziB5VsAAcrft-1024x848.jpg)
Capitalism could use updates, and not every principle within it is inherently good, some of it it also entitling greed and evil *gasp* ******so much gasp******** *how dare you zach!*
Socialized medicine isn’t impossible, but it’s not perfect either. I think we could consider it *GASP* **YOU COMMUNIST** ***YOU ANTI GOD ANTI AMERICAN PIG**** *******YOU MEAN YOU BELIEVE IN CAPITALIST PROPAGANDA, BUT IT DIDN’T EXIST?!?!?!********
8 can’t wait, and how gosh darn reasonable it is for police reform nation wide ASAP PRONTO FRANKLY THIS INSTANT (actually I must talk about this one. Pretend it’s up top)
Why we should look for non projectile, non taser, etc solutions for police. Like MAYBE MARTIAL ARTS?! you know that thing that has been effective for thousands of years?!
Gun control and how I’m a centrist on the issue, but gosh darn golly gee why do psychos need to have a right to guns? Pretty sure they shouldn’t have them! Or carry them on the street. *GAAAAAAASSSP*
![](https://luke532.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/guns.jpg)
Education in this country is whack, and it could really really use a big old update (or maybe a new update for a change)
Why oh why, why do we need to be at war with the whole frikin world? To spread “democracy” CMON man that’s getting VERY old. FOR. THE. LOVE.
How I could be less long-winded and a better writer OH WAIT, THAT’S IRONIC SINCE I’M STILL WRITING AND I’M WRITING THIS. IT’S LIKE HAVING BOOKS ABOUT MINAMILISM 🤣 (also funny because I didn’t grammar nor did I spelt everything correc. But hey it’s 4am gn everyone peace and good will. And toodles.) This is all serious but I’m also what they call, the kids I mean, slap happy. Ready to hit the hay i am, Yoda farmer i am.
Zak I’m just having a hard time reading this rambling rn. Take it easy, also are you ok?