Some 77 different international NGOs, left-wing political parties, think tanks and trade unions have organized a two-day "alternative summit" in Hamburg on July 5 and 6, a day ahead of the G20, which organizers say "defends a system that boosts social inequality." Over the course of 12 panel discussions, scientists, activists and politicians are to debate different ways to overcome "poverty, exploitation, oppression and the destruction of nature."
- from dw.com
There is a divide. I can see it. Like Galadriel, I can just sense it in the air and water. It is inside of me. This divide isn't a single chasm, like a Grand Canyon, splitting USA between Trumps and No-Trumps, no, this is a spiderweb of a fractured Earth. It is Us against Them, only most of the time, We don't know who They are. Hell, I don't know who We are.
The divide is the crack between the Haves and the Have Nots, the people who represent the People, and the People. The network of cracks put the Left on one side and the Right on the other, immigrants, blacks, white, rich, poor, police, punks, hippies, Big Companies, GMO, bees, social justice warriors, feminists, gays*, North-Korea, USA, Russia, Trump, Putin - everything gets its own little patch of land on a scorched earth, laying siege to the land-island next to it.
But the divide is also inside of me, not only do I have to plant my feet in the dirt and yell this land is mine, get the fuck off my lawn, I have to deal with an internal divide. But that is the beauty about having feelings** and fucking thoughts, you can have more than one at the time! I can stand being a man divided a hell of a lot longer than some of the larger institutions can.
These are observations made through social and unsocial media. There has been a meeting of the elite of The Elite, a G20 meeting in Hamburg. This is of course the good and democratic meeting, the really-really elitist meeting would be the G8 meeting. Donald and Vladimir got to shake hands, but what else happened, who was there and what did they discuss? The short and sweet answer is, and will always be - Money. Global economic growth, international trade and regulation are the main topics, so naturally there are not only leaders of various influential nations present, the following parties (among others) are also present: The World Bank, The World Trade Organization, The International Monetary Fund, The Financial Stability Board and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. So they talked about money, terrorism, the cost of terrorism, immigration, the cost of immigration, environmental sustainability, the cost of environmental sustainability, and some other things, not all directly linked to finance, but with a price-tag attached for sure.
I realize I might sound like a broken record, but money rule the world, and this is a problem. I realize I sound like a naive hippie, but the way global capitalism functions, it is a one way ticket to a fiery death for us all.
Or I might be wrong.
This system of capitalism and "free market"*** might launch us into space, colonizing new planets, continuing life EXACTLY LIKE IT IS NOW! Which is fine for the few, and totally shit for the many more. Wouldn't it be great to mend our ways before we spread the status quo that constantly keeps us on the brink of international crisis, starvation and nuclear war to other planets? Is that what we want? More of the same for all eternity, because this works so splendidly?
But I digress.
There was also another participant that I forgot to mention at the G20 meeting. The People.
The people shoved up in such numbers that the German police requested reinforcements from Denmark (sic). So that is one big divide. The few who rule the many. Then there is the police that works for the few, to protect them from the many. That is another divide. Wait, is that what the police is supposed to do? What was your last interaction with the law? Just asking. And this is where my internal divide tends to kick in. In several ways.
I am sceptical to violence, but I'm in no way a pacifist. There were peaceful protests, riots, clashes with the police and random destruction in the city and suburbs of Hamburg. The question I ask is this - will meaningful change come about through peaceful means? I have to say I kinda doubt it. Take a glance to USA. Bernie Sanders vs the system, that worked great, and everyone is ok with that. That is how steeped the system is in corruption. People can't be bothered to even care anymore.
So when I see the condemnation of the riots and violence in the media I feel divided. I don't want innocent protesters to get hurt. I don't want random people to have their cars destroyed or their houses vandalized. McDonald's, big business, that sort of thing? Couldn't care less. Yes, fuck you too. You disagree yet? Here comes the big one, a big divider in every sense, both internal and external - the police.
The police are there to uphold law and order. They are also public servants, there to protect the public - everyone. But they work for the system. They aren't evil, they are ordinary people - UNLESS! - they are the kind of people who gravitate to positions where they can exact power over others, like many politicians do. Beware of the people who want power for power's sake.
Anyways.
When I see social media I see people condemning the violence against the police. My question is this - Why is violence against the police worse than violence against other people - in any situation?
In most countries there is a divide in the law between the public, the big players and those that serve them, the police. You get in a load more of trouble smacking a policeman in the face as opposed to, say me.
They have the fucking training and gear for it, they chose their line of work! I didn't. So when I get smacked in the face, why is that better? Why are public servants who in many cases do precious little serving to the public, held in such high regard in the eyes of society and the law? Well, the law-part might be self-explanatory, right. If you are in opposition to the system, there might come a time when you find yourself in position where you handled bodily and rudely. You might get beaten, soaked and pepper'sprayed. You are not allowed to defend yourself. You can hit the person next to you in the same situation and chances are good that no one will care except for said person. The system protects the system, paid with the money you provide through taxes and consumerism. So how about some equality to the law? The people of the police aren't magical, they aren't better or more important than anyone else, don't give them special treatment.
Sure, you can chant, you can sign a petition, you can write your local whatever and ask them to do something. That always works, the media will cover that, right?
Sometimes I think the divide needs to be bridged with fire. Maybe I'd like to see the smoke rise on the horizon, but then I think - yes, but don't burn down my shit. Or maybe I'd let my shit burn if it meant something. I'm divided on this.
And just to no get in any trouble - I totally condemn all violence. There. Covered my ass.
* and all that qlwarblegloop-jazz.
** like Hate.
*** don't even get me started.
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