Dear readers,
It has been a very sad few weeks. We have seen the power of the freedom of expression and protest in action, and in the middle of a pandemic no less. But we have also seen abuse by the authorities.
Instead of sharing some personal thoughts like I normally do, I want to give voice to others.
Lucinda is a young woman in Los Angeles who wanted to protest against the violence of a senseless act of apathy that caused an untimely death of George Floyd.
She was met with gas by the police during a peaceful protest while in Portland, Oregon, and came home hurting. An authoritarian aftertaste that reminds me of the deadly student protests of 1968.
A dear mutual friend, Paul Tifford Jr., was touched by her experience and wrote a poem. He very graciously is letting me share it with you.
Current Affairs
-For Lucinda Fasce Drake
After the doubts,
that’s when the violence begins.
One must be certain
to call on the gas.
Alas, the innocents get caught
in the fray, tangled
in the curtain of rights
and an idealistic display.
We cannot sustain
a state of peaceful complaint.
Whatever this currently is,
peace ain’t.
Thank you, Paul. And thank you, Lucinda.
Deborah Wexler
AVD Administrator