PrairieNihilist's blog: "Ah...the duality of man."

I'd like to take a moment to run something by you if you're following the Colin Kaepernick story...regardless of how you feel about it. He has now been joined by Megan Rapinoe, who agrees that there needs to be a serious discussion about inequality of all kinds in America...which is what this is all about...

Now...I hear you loud and clear...don't disrespect our anthem, flag, or country, because these are things that we love and hold dear. That's all fine and good, and I'm glad that you have pride in your nation, but did it ever dawn on you that just because your country hasn't shafted you, that it doesn't mean that it hasn't shafted others? Not everyone is equal in America...that's not an allegation...that's a fact. If they were, then we wouldn't have any adversity whatsoever when it comes to accommodating skin color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, class, or any other difference in character or physiology.  Even you, as a straight, white, working class man or woman, are a second class human being in the eyes of the super rich elite.  I'll explain why later in this, but you have a huge decision to make in where you stand, so here's some info to help you make that choice.

If things were truly equal, then we wouldn't be opposed to freely helping people who are empirically and undeniably proven to be disadvantaged. We wouldn't bitch about people asking for the things that we have, and believe that we have earned, but have actually always had much more access to than others. We would all be willing to stand up and demand equality for everyone, instead of griping about how disadvantaged groups are always looking for a handout, and raising a fuss over nothing. If things were truly equal, then we wouldn't look down on anyone. We would help everyone up instead of judging and scrutinizing the legitimacy of their claims, looking for reasons to downplay or dismiss them.

Which brings me to Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe. Here are two people with a combination of status, wealth, privilege that is atypical of most of their backgrounds, and a platform to speak out for what's right, and draw attention to the inequality in America. Colin Kaepernick, makes oodles of money, and is not treated like your average black man in America. He, like myself, is half white and has grown up in an environment where he, like I, have enjoyed all of the privileges and advantages of being white and growing up essentially as white kids. However, in having that privilege, we are not immune to bigotry, because we are still visibly not white, and we do meet ignorant people who treat us as lesser human beings. That's a reality. Megan, as a non-heterosexual white woman, faces a different, but equal fate as we do, despite the advantages and celebrity that she enjoys. Those are facts.

Yes, Colin and Megan, are luckier than you or I, in that they enjoy financial security and status that we do not. However, the fact that they are willing to stand up, despite not facing nearly the level of inequality and disadvantage that others do, and fight for an end to inequality, is to be admired, not despised. Colin has no real reason to stick up for the average poor black kid. He's well off, and is living the dream. However, he recognizes that there is inequality, and understands that the right thing to do, is to push for change...not for himself, but for everyone who is treated unfairly. That's called being selfless, and caring about your fellow human being, and it's something that we as a species, have lost sight of.

We've become a selfish, greedy, inconsiderate, judgmental mess, and it's high time that we right the ship...lest the inequality, animosity, and injustice, should culminate in the destruction of humanity as we know it. People talk about a race war starting a lot these days. The truth is that it has been happening all along...it's just been so lopsided in favor of the white male for so long that we've forgotten that it was happening over the years. However, times are changing, and the other side is starting to get stronger and gain ground. The individual armies that were no match for the mighty machine of oppression, have begun to join forces and fight together.

It's not white versus brown, Christian versus Muslim, man versus woman. It's super rich, white elitist, versus women of all color, class, and religion, and men of all color, class, and religion. There are only two sides to this battle, and unless you are completely self-hating, it behooves you to join the side that is battling back. If you are white and working class, and are getting fucked over on your bills and taxes, while not making enough to live and dealing with awful working conditions, then you are one of us. If you are white, live in abject poverty, and can't get ahead, no matter what you do, then you are one of us. White with student debt that is overwhelming, and a job that doesn't even begin to dent it? You're one of us. White and injured or ill, and unable to get quality care because of price? One of us. Wounded vet getting fucked over by the country that you served...definitely one of us.

People like Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, and Nick Hanauer...among others, are aware of the need to stomp out inequality, and despite it doing little to nothing to change or better their wealth and status, are willing to try to do the right thing for everyone...simply because it's the right thing to do. Does fighting for equal rights for LGBTQ people benefit me directly? No, but it benefits people that I love and care about, who are being mistreated. Does fighting for a living minimum wage benefit me directly? No, but it benefits people that I know, who can't get ahead no matter how hard they work. Does fighting for equal pay or bodily autonomy for women benefit me directly? Not at all, but I still do, because everyone should have that right. 

Here's the thing though, even though these things don't benefit me directly, they end up benefiting everyone in the end. The more people make, the more they spend. The more they spend, the more demand is created, and the more there is a need for workers to meet this demand. The more workers there are making good wages, the more money there is to go into tax coffers. The more money in tax coffers, the more we can afford to spend on infrastructure, education, social programs, and the like...which also creates more jobs, and lessens the need for welfare and food stamps. The less poverty there is, the less people will have to resort to crime to survive. This means less victims of crime, less strain on the legal system, thereby freeing up more resources and time to devote to making things better for everyone.

This benefits us all...regardless of how much pigment we have in our skin, who we have sex with, what god we worship, or what genitalia we have. The day that we stop pretending that skin color, gender, religion or sexuality, is a reason to think less of each other, is the day that we stop focusing on stupid petty differences, and free up thought to focus on making our world better, and leaving a healthy, beautiful, and prosperous planet for future generations. It all starts with each of us saying “you know...I really don't have it that bad, but that guy/gal over there is in a rough spot. Maybe I should help him/her out.” You don't have to have money, influence, fame, or anything else. All you need, is compassion and a willingness to learn, understand, and change. If everyone learns to do it, then we will all rise and thrive, and we will all be better off.

What I'm proposing to you, is to stop seeing Colin Kaepernick as a black guy trying to create division and disrespecting his country, and start seeing him as a friend, who wants things to be better for all of us, because that's what he really is. This isn't about skin color. It's about inequality as a whole, and the need to rise up against it. While the main topic of his protest, is police brutality and the killing of unarmed people, he also points out other inequalities that are happening, and did not specify anything about race in what he said. You may read it as him talking about brutality against black people, and there has been a lot more talk of black people than white to this end, but he did not specify black people in what he said. 

So now...are you still interested in fighting for the wealthy elite, or do you want to fight for all of humanity? If the former, then carry on with your hateful dialogue and self-hatred. If not, then stand...err...sit or take a knee with Colin and Megan, demand equality for all human beings, and try to understand the struggles of others. I know that life isn't easy for white, straight, working class men and women like yourselves either, but it's going to keep getting worse for you and everyone else if you don't join us and fight it. If you agree with what I've said, then welcome aboard, and we have a fuckload of work to do, so let's get after it.