Is there such a thing as an optimistic cynic?
If so, then that’s who I am. As soon as I heard the swiftness with which congress made Juneteenth a holiday, I cheered, then said, “I know you motherfuckers just want to distract us from your voter suppression efforts.” I’m familiar with that old trick. Throw us a bone and then take away something even bigger than what you just gave us.
It’s similar to when the workplace occasionally caters lunch, but doesn’t give anyone a raise.
Yet, as an optimist, I believe making Juneteenth is a step in the correct direction. It acknowledges the first time in American history when we were all free. At least on paper. There are days when I still feel I’m being treated as if I’m 3/5ths of a person.
Another recent win: the Supreme Court saved the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Another lesson the pandemic has taught us is that people of color and poor people have different medical and economic outcomes without inexpensive health insurance. The Court stated that ACA didn’t harm anyone since no one pays the individual mandate AKA the dreaded “penalty.”
Once again, karma’s a bitch. The GOP successfully fought to remove the individual mandate during their last attempt to kill ACA. Now, if only something like that can be applied to these voter suppression laws and the filibuster.
I’ll try to positive think that into existence.