TheBanyanTree: Last Weekend

[Robin Tennant-Wood]

Russ, thanks for that uplifting story. Even though my academic background
is in political science, I don't comment a lot on US politics, mainly
because I'm never sure that what we're seeing here is an accurate
representation of what's actually happening. So much of the news coming out
of the US at the moment is bad, with the double-whammy of coronavirus and
civil unrest, it's wonderful to know that there's still hope and goodness
and a spirit of community cohesion at the level where it matters: people.

all the best

Robin




On Thu, 25 Jun 2020 at 00:48, Russ Doden <russ.doden at gmail.com> wrote:

> I've been wanting to post something, but ... shy away from politics like
> the plague (modern or ancient).  Here's the thing though.  As you all know,
> there was a big rally here in Tulsa last weekend.  It was also Juneteenth.
> For Tulsa that is something very much in our minds.  Back in 1921 was one
> of, if not the worst race riot in the country.  The official fatality count
> was about 30, but with changing times, and cover up's being uncovered, it
> now looks to have been over 300.  The section of Tulsa now known as
> Greenwood was known as Black Wall Street back then.  It was a hugely
> prosperous part of the fledgling city.  It was nearly all destroyed in one
> massive act of violence.  So, here, Juneteenth isn't just a celebration, it
> is also a time of remembrance, for the entire community.  Sometimes it is a
> little "rowdy" but usually a time of coming together.
>
> This weekend had the potential to be the "perfect storm" of Juneteenth and
> the rally.  Many - most? - of us were on edge.  There is a history of
> trouble with the rallies the POTUS holds, so all due precautions were
> taken.  Friday, Juneteenth came and went with only a few minor problems.
> Not much more than any other hot summer night.  Then came Saturday, rally
> day.  You all saw the results of that.  Friends that were in the area (not
> for the rally, but because they live or work nearby) said that it was even
> more calm than was shown on the news!  That evening, there were groups of
> protesters wandering around.  Not causing damage, just ... roaming. They
> would join up with other groups, and everyone ended up in the Greenwood
> district.  There are so many great restaurants and museums there, so a lot
> of damage could have been done.  Instead it turned into a huge block
> party.  Food trucks came in, music was playing, people were dancing and
> just having fun.  People of all races, not just one.  People of all
> spiritual paths.
>
> Quick Trip, a convenience store chain based here in Tulsa had boarded up
> some of their shops in areas that could have seen problems.  The 4' x 8'
> panels became targets of taggers.  Not hate tags, but tags of hope, unity,
> and support.  Some were amazing.  It was interesting that areas of the
> stores that were not covered didn't have any tagging on them at all, just
> the boards!  The management of Quick Trip is looking to save many of the
> boards, not just from their stores, but other stores as well, to possibly
> put them up on display in the Greenwood area as a reminder of how Tulsa
> handled that combination of events.
>
> Sometimes I bitch and moan about Tulsa.  OK, the heat and humidity are
> oppressive in the summer.  In the winter people forget how to drive. The
> streets are perpetually under repair.  And so the list goes.  I will say
> this though.  I have never been so proud of this city as I was this past
> weekend.  Granted, I often tell people how great Tulsa is, with two world
> class museums, cultural events, and so much more.  This  past weekend
> though, made those fade temporarily.  The city came together. Black, white,
> red (remember this is Indian Country), asian, gay, straight, what ever,
> Christian and Pagan.  It didn't make any difference, we all felt a "shift"
> and just maybe gave people in other cities a glimpse of what can be done
> when people are willing to come together for change!
>
> Russ
>
> --
> Enjoy Life By Living In Joy
>
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