41 | Ceres Magazine | Fall 2016
Alicia, 32, Teacher, Hawthorn, California.
One is always told what they want to hear and one can only hope that what they hear actually gets put into action! We vote for whom we believe would be the best candidate. Yet, little do we know that that same candidate could be a major disappointment.
Michael Gonzales, 65, Semi-retired, part-time Reading Fluency Tutor, Los Angeles, California.
It makes me sad to think that in 2016, with all that this nation has fought for along the lines of racial equality, it doesn't seem like we've made any significant progress! I believe black lives matter just like brown lives matter and yellow lives matter and white lives matter!
It seems apparent that the issue of racial equality cannot be solved through legislation alone. Because something is illegal doesn't always mean the behavior disappears. But just like other matters of equality we've tried to fix by passing laws, they don't go away. The underlying issues, hate and prejudice, just go out of sight, and sometimes they rear their ugly heads during turbulent times!
I believe our future as a free nation and more important, as a free society, however you define free, must start with "liberty and justice for all," not for a few, not for most, but for all! I pray Black Lives Matter will not just be empty rhetoric, soon to be forgotten, buried with those men who lost their lives at the hands of bigotry!
Erika, 26, Receptionist, Lawndale, California.
The upcoming elections sadly scare me. I knew that racism still existed in this country, but I didn't know it was this bad. It makes me worry about my future and the future of my family. Also, I think that The Black Lives Matter movement has gotten out of control. I am all for fighting with the movement, but violence on violence won’t get anything solved or any point across.
Tracy Merritt, 52, Teacher, Leadwood, Missouri, From St. Louis.
Why does our society, as a whole, judge others so harshly? What happened to Live and Let Live? Why have we let our government make laws to dictate what we can and cannot do? We, as a society, have allowed our government to infringe on our personal lives. How did this happen? There are so many questions and so few answers! What has happened to ethics, morals, manners and just plain common sense? I fear for our future as a nation, as a society, and as a community!