Month: June 2020

& we are not talking about Covid patients in ICU but out on the streets, people of color have to fear for their lives everyday. These are the words spoken by a helpless man who only committed a petty crime and had his skin color been lighter, he would have sustained a minor citation or fines or few hours in public work – at most.

Did we go back 30, 40, 50 years in time ? It’s year 2020. We had 8 years of Barack Obama … we thought we made strides, such strides, such progress – and we thought racism was finally behind us … eradicated. Yet now. This.

What happened to all the civil rights progress we supposedly made ? It’s truly a revelation … at a time when we are to social distance and remain home, there are protesters and crowd of people and … the police … and now, even the military … on our own people who are peacefully protesting injustice.

This is what happens when we stop seeing ourselves in others. Violence should not erupt when there’s peace abiding citizens exercising their democratic rights to protest peacefully. What is going on? I fully support and cheer on these law abiding citizens demonstrating peacefully and excising our democratic right to demonstrate and protest injustice and violence. To bring to forefront the societal ills so we make reforms and changes where everyone feels protected and safe. I am repulsed that these pure passion and care to uphold justice is hijacked by other extreme elements from outside the well meaning peaceful groups who stand for justice, unity, harmony and anti-racism. Basically, those with other agenda to discredit the protesters with their violence has brought about the current curfew and negative media coverage and confusion over the just protest. It’s scary and sad that we have a leader who promotes racism and violence and uses law and order to fuel the fire, divide and enrage people and push the dangerous anti-democratic agenda that further divides and separates American people … It’s been a very sad week.

The last mask pic is a set of two masks packaged with a little public health message – a package was sent to each household in Japan from the Prime Minister. It is a study of contrast – okay, sure a check for $1200 is very very nice that was a Congressional initiated and approved emergency aid. It’s not about setting an example for all citizens – it’s a relief check for certain income group. A package of masks for the household from the Prime Minster is supposed to convey a message of care or concern and … an urging that we all need to do our part to stop the spread of the virus when there is no vaccination or any medical fixes – other than social distancing, hand washing and … yes, the mask to cut down the emission into the air your possible infected but shows no symptoms kind of virus in airborne particles. Instead of message for togetherness and a little personal sacrifices, a certain “leader” is setting an example of privilege, exemptions for the rich and powerful in the name of freedom (at the expense of the vulnerable and “essential” workers – who are to him, dispensable – that’s the message he sends out). Emphasizing again that the privileged need not adhere to the rules and the unprivileged is irreplaceable and displace able. He is exhibiting behaviors of those who feel entitled and it’s birthright to exercise supremacy and unchecked power- to be above the law. Is that right? It that justice? Is that democratic?

Yoga Mat for Self Care during these turbulent times. To be able to focus; to be grounded and calm so we can do our “work”. Self-care is more essential than ever so we can be effective in our fight to better lift and care others.