Hope in the Face of Opposition

As many of you know, I like to stay current in the fight against social, economical and racial inequality. The fight which sparked what many call "Occupy". Two winters ago I was sent (by my former union, SEIU) to Washington D.C. to join thousands of others for a week of protests and actions on the capital. We did sit-ins at the house of representatives, we marched on K street and we gathered, in solidarity, to make known that not everyone is going to sit by idly and allow the few with much of the money, to dictate the world we live in.

Over the last couple of years, I've been more of an observer in political actions. I like to show up, to be a presence, but I'm not vocal in the groups, rather I use my voice in my own social circles. Granted, the majority of the people in my circles agree with much of my viewpoints, but usually give me this entertained look and do their best to encourage my "silliness". I appreciate the support, of course, but really want to see more be active in this fight against our governments corruption.

Now, don't get me wrong, I fully understand that our "justice" system is actually one of the best systems in the world. I do believe that. However, I don't believe that we should just take that as is. Our government is corrupt in many ways and our police are frightening. When someone sees police lights flash, they aren't happy to know there is a person nearby who is looking out for them, with pure and moral intentions. Rather our stomachs turn and our minds begin to race with thoughts of "damn it, what am I going to have to deal with?" and if you aren't white, your fear is far worse. Yes, racism is alive and well in our country and unfortunately it is often ignored because it makes white people uncomfortable.

The reality is racial inequality exacerbates social and economical inequality. This isn't just my opinion either, this is based on facts from much research done by many who recognize and care about this issue. I highly recommend you read some of the information out there, it's very enlightening.

The point of all of this; yesterday I went to the Oakland courthouse to be a witness at a court hearing for Prince Boson. The following is an excerpt of an article written by a comrade who was present at last years May Day action. You can read the article in it's entirety here.

"Last year on May Day, a boisterous but mostly peaceful demonstration promoted by Occupy Oakland and other groups, was aggressively attacked by an OPD assault force. There really is no other way to describe the events [I wrote about that day here, and that attack in "Part 2"].

"As the march, which had surged around the city center and lake, came back to Oscar Grant Plaza to plug back into the rest of the day’s events at around mid-day, the police suddenly rushed the crowd from behind, causing panic. In the ensuing confusion, the OPD targeted several individuals. As you can see from these photos, they were offensively brutal in the arrests–but in the case of Prince alone, they went the extra step of tazing him. I think that given that he was the only African American arrested that day, its definitely arguable the extra force was racially motivated.

I was in the crowd that day and absolutely no one posed a threat to any police officer. All of the protesters brought to the ground and arrested, were quite literally just standing there, except for one woman, who was rushed from behind and yanked from a bicycle."

Because of this blatant discrimination, I was happy to ride my bike into Oakland and sit for an hour and a half in the courtroom to stand in solidarity with Prince. The DA dropped all but one charge against him (there had been four: PC 243(b) – battery on an officer, PC 644/211 – robbery of an officer, PC 69 – felony obstruction & resisting, PC 148(a) – m obstruction.) The most frightening part of all of this is that "because of the seriousness of the charge: PC 69 – felony obstruction & resisting, the court has to side with the police."  To believe that what the police say is true and not what the defendant and videos prove to be true strikes a dictatorship fear in me. How can we hold corrupt police accountable when it's their lies against the truth of citizens? By showing up and not standing idly by, that's how. Prince's attorney's request for him to be released on his own recognizance or to have his bail reduced was denied. His bail was set at $25,000 and his pretrial court date and pretrial examination were both set. The silver lining was that when Prince's hearing concluded, 30 people stood up and exited the courtroom. In addition to this, due to donations by those who went and others who couldn't be present, but care, we were able to raise enough money for Prince to be released!

It is with great pride that I can share that. It gives hope to seemingly hopeless situations! We stand together and we will not be quiet! Stayed tuned to the case and other political failings.

Standing on the Edge

We look back to learn, we look forward to believe.

Are we all standing on the edge of peace and chaos? On the edge of creation and destruction? Standing squarely between good and evil? Yes, I believe we are. Every day we wake up and with every step we take, we make the choice to step off the edge and into peace, creation and goodness or into chaos, destruction and evil.

Whatever you believe or don't believe doesn't matter, that choice is still yours and no one else's; the choice to choose. We are the ones who choose to create or destroy; to build up or tear down. And I for one crave, above all other things, to be a person, an energy, a force, that builds up and creates. I possess a power - we - possess a power to make waves in our world. Isn't that empowering?! To know we can, in every action, make waves that will roll into lives all around us?

My life, though flocked with disorder and chaos, in the midst of those untold events, my life has been abundant with people who have used their energy to build up others around them; creating worlds within their reach that are better because they choose to be that force of good. Due to events of many kinds, I've been forced to make the choice: creation or destruction? Countless nights I've had the painful pleasure of wrestling with that choice. Looking at myself in the mirror and struggling between the desire in my heart to do good and love or to inflict pain and hurt. I wish I could say it's an easy choice, that my heart is pure and I desire nothing but peace. But that isn't true, and some times I take the easy route and gladly and aimlessly step into the chaos of destruction. Something that, after the fact, I never feel pleased or proud about.

Indeed, sometimes life does require us to be licentious; to break away from social or cultural norms and limitations. This, however, doesn't mean it must be in a destructive or negative manner. And here is where I often struggle with a balance. When is it helpful and healthy? And when is it destructive and cancerous? These are the nights when sleep evades me and rapid, streaming thoughts of good vs. evil; bear vs. shark; peace vs. destruction, abound and interrupt each other at an unstoppable rate.

Some nights it requires me to search my soul, alone and quietly, to make the decision. But some nights it requires me to make a phone call, to knock on a door or to wait until dawn to speak with a friend that will walk through and talk through these colliding thoughts. This is when I'm assured, without a doubt, that peace, creation and goodness is always the path I want to choose. And this is because the people in my life, the people who have seen me in both my darkest and brightest days, they stand with me and give me the strength and confidence to move forward in peace. YOU, the ones reading this, YOU are those people. I don't know how I've gotten so lucky, blessed and/or fortunate to have such a large group of people who will do this for me. It is overwhelming in the most magnificent kind of way. And it inspires me to be the best version of myself that is possible.

Today I am thankful in a solemn and reflective way. Thank you to each of you. Thank you for seeing your friend(s) as they are: beautiful, broken, hopeful and powerful. And for believing that nothing can forever define us. That every moment of every day, we possess the power to redefine who we are and what kind of world we will live in.

And as we stand on the edge of darkness 

Let our chant fill the void 

That others may know 

In the land of the night 

The ship of the sun 

Is drawn by 

The grateful dead. 

-- Tibetan "Book of the Dead" ca. 4000 BC.

On top of the world!

r.w. street tags around Oakland - found out this artists name is reggie warlock and he's dope!

That would be perfect weather, my friends.

Alley art in San Francisco. Also, truth.

Mark Twain, preaching truth still to this day.

Often I feel like a queen. It's true, I really do. It's as though I can crinkle my nose, make a wish and *poof!* my wish is the universes command. I realize this sounds like I'm tempting fate, but I am not. It is more a commentary on how kind and warm the universe can be. There has been no shortage of adventure for me this last year. I've been wiggling around the country (and a few other countries) to find the kindness of strangers abounds and happiness is plentiful, you've just got to be willing to seek it out.

Though I spend much of my time being a cynic, it's mostly just for fun. The truth is, despite what I was raised to believe- that we are all inherently evil - I've found that to be quite the opposite. Most people are kind and willing to go an extra step if it means making someone else's day better. This has been my experience. I've seen it in all kinds of ways; the numerous folks in Maine who allowed me to camp on their property or sleep on their couch. A kind fellow in Seattle who found my purse and spent two days tracking me down, despite it being almost impossible to find me. A cafe owner who gave me a free sandwich one day during my ride. A fellow who gave me a ride when my tire was flat and I couldn't find my repair kit. The fellows I biked with who took many of my things, without asking, to lighten my load. The many lovely friends who have allowed me to crash in their homes for weeks and some, months, in the course of my travels! These are quite literally just a small fraction of the divine folks who have positively impacted my life in just the last year.

I'm so excited for the many other kind folks whose paths I'll cross in the year to come.

Currently I'm staying with one of those wildly generous friends who has welcomed me into her home and it's been a real good time. I've been exploring the Bay area and have absolutely loved it. Whether it be swimming in the pool on the Coast Guard base, getting hour long massages for $20 in Oakland's Chinatown, exploring the street art in San Francisco, riding my bike through Alameda or simply lounging in the backyard, each day has been most glorious. What's a lady to do, but bask in the sun and the joy of all life has to offer.

Check out some of the nifty things I've seen!

First morning in California, the fog before the sunshine!

And then the sun shone! Yay for California!

Bikes!

My first moments biking across the Golden Gate Bridge.

$20 make you holler. Oakland Chinatown massages.

Fantastic street art in the Mission District in San Francisco.

Incredible street art, despite my blurry camera.

Dinosaurs! Mission District.