Black Lives Matter

 BLM Protest:

Some thoughts about the BLM protest in Carlsbad, CA on Saturday 06-05: 

It took me back to my days of protesting the Vietnam war, as an enthusiastic and eager college student wanting to be involved in a cause.   I have fond memories of sitting on a relic tank from the Great War at a memorial in the local park shouting anti-war slogans while I possessed a draft number (56) for call up!  Oh, those were the days:  Protesting against the “man!”  (Irony of ironies, I served a year in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot – shows they will take anyone!)

But I digress:   Today’s BLM peaceful protest in the sleepy “Village by the Sea” showed the passions of those who, just like those who protested an unjust war in Vietnam, have a legitimate grievance to express against the government and their representatives which is our right – then and now.

Fortunately, the city and police were accommodating, there wasn’t a heavy hand presence, and everyone seemed to get along.   Sure, there were the usual insults and snide remarks hurled at the police:  one middle-aged woman walked up to an officer and asked why he had a gun and a baton:  “If you have a gun why do you need to carry a big stick?  Do you get your “Jollies” hitting people?”  Another lady, kids in tow, passed a motorcycle officer and said, “thank you for your service!”  (And she was of another ethic background than the officer.)  All in a day’s work for a police officer!

One sad moment I observed was that the local businesses, terrorized by the COVID19 shutdown now spent precious resources to board up their storefronts in anticipation of looting and mayhem – which did not happen!  But at least Las Olas displayed a bit of humor: “Peace, Love and Tacos!”

But the absurdity of the day:  As everyone was leaving the protest, a young woman holding a “Defund the Police” sign summoned the very people she was against, making a complaint about another protest participant who shoved her male friend.  I had the privilege to listen to the interaction; the complaining, the accusations that the police wouldn’t do anything against the alleged perp, how they should arrest the person, etc.  The officers engaged them respectfully, tried to diffuse the situation so it wouldn’t tarnish an otherwise peaceful event, and offered solutions to mitigate their complaint.  (Maybe we need the police, after all.)

So, kudos to the Carlsbad police and to the protesters.  All’s well that ends well.  Now go and express your opinions of injustice and inequality in a peaceful manner.