To mask or not to mask, that is NOT the question…

Actually, that is NEVER the question. If you think about it, using a face mask and practicing social distancing are two of the most American and Christian things you can do right now… yet for some reason, people are protesting what are essentially health recommendations that are being followed around the world. As this is being written, more and more news updates are reporting spikes in COVID cases in states like Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Reopenings are postponed, bars will be reclosed, and we’re back to square 1… or maybe even square negative 1. It’s one thing to expect something… it’s another thing to see a worst case scenario play out. Mind you, that’s the US... many other countries have been able to flatten the curve and get proper results. Others are having or will have spikes soon because of their own mistakes, but in regards to being willfully reckless, the US is second to none.

So what’s the difference? Two things: leadership and cooperation, two things that are pretty misguided or full on absent lately. There are several dangerous tendencies picking up momentum and among them, it’s people who are completely against using face masks. Some say it violates their constitutional rights. Others say since they are not terrorists, they don’t need to use a face mask… as if there were a correlation. And the excuses and reasons pile on… all stoked by comments from the government that are plain irresponsible. People are now even laminating cards with a completely false statement stating they in fact are not required to use a face mask even going as far as forging government logos and inventing quotes of the American with Disabilities Act.

It’s hard not to get emotional writing this having spent the vast majority of time inside an apartment since March and doing my best to take all the necessary measures to ensure my safety as well as my wife’s and everyone else’s. When I go out, I use hand sanitizer/alcohol regularly, I wear a face mask, and I follow social distance guidelines. Do I wear a mask because I vote mostly democrat? No. Do I do wear a mask because my views are liberal? No. I wear a mask because I think of the health professionals who put their lives at risk every day. I wear a mask because there’s money for riot gear and Blue Angels flyovers to boost morale, but there’s no money for protective equipment for our healthcare professionals. I wear a mask because I know three people who have lost loved ones to COVID related complications. I wear a mask because a minor discomfort is a ridiculously small price to pay to minimize the risk for my fellow human. I wear a mask because I have family members with high risk conditions. I wear a mask because I’ve had the flu, I’ve had pneumonia, I have asthma, and I’m an at risk person for a condition that could wreak havoc on the respiratory system. 

How pride, nationalism, religion, or the constitution figure into why anyone would choose to NOT wear a mask is baffling. I’d say it’s frustrating, but I have the luxury to work from home and I don’t think I have the right to say it infuriates or frustrates because I don’t work in healthcare and am not an essential worker. I also don’t live in hospice and I’m not in the hospital. I don’t think I get to say I’m frustrated when healthcare professionals who have been stretched beyond the limit and broken by a broken system have to deal with the consequences of people who think it’s unconstitutional to wear a mask. Seeing people take a vacation from the pandemic for Memorial Day weekend was bad enough… having people justify their actions because well, if people can protest then who are they to comply with health recommendations takes it a step above.

On that point, let’s recognize the risk people put themselves for the protests against police brutality, but let’s also recognize how many people have used face masks and done their best to protest responsibly. I know it’s not everyone; I’m not saying it’s everyone, but I have enough people on my social media to see a decent number of people doing their best to protest while protecting their fellow human. Let’s also recognize that a protest against police brutality should in no way be used as a basis to justify someone’s “need” for a haircut or countless other things that aren’t necessary or remotely essential. 

The thing is that businesses are suffering and I get that people want to save their business… but what does it say when a business takes all the measures to protect their staff and customers and people waltz in without a mask, not caring about social distancing, and even failing to wash their hands? What does it say about people who mock others who do use face masks? What does it say about people when they purposely cough on other people just to make a point? What does it say when an establishment requires face masks to enter yet people say screw you, I have rights!

By the way, the washing of the hands comment comes from restaurant staff from several establishments who remark on patrons exhibiting this type of behavior. The comment about being mocked for wearing a mask comes from people I know who have been openly made fun of for wearing a face mask. And the coughing on other people? Well it's unfortunate how easy it is to find multiple examples of people doing this. 

Yet somehow, people continue thinking COVID is a hoax and that there’s a conspiracy. To make matters worse, top government officials compare the use of mask as an open show of dissent... that using a face mask is un-American. That using a face mask and practicing social distancing are not only overblown tendencies from the left, but that either behavior is worthy of scorn. This is happening because yet another topic has been politicized and it makes zero sense. How can anyone logically understand that people consider themselves patriotic or Christian by putting other people at risk. Emotions are running high as are frustration, tension, and panic… so why add to the negative? Why kick-off and act like a toddler throwing a tantrum, because that’s what it looks and sounds like. Religious beliefs, political stances, blind “patriotic” statements, and a whole lot of us versus them bullshit is being thrown around as a justification and a weak and baseless one at that because there is no logical argument to not use masks or practice social distancing. 

People call themselves American, Christian, and patriotic. Fine. Then how about they prove it? Too many people are currently batting .000 for the home team and things will get way worse before they get better until we work together and cooperate for the greater good. I normally try to end on a positive note, but in a post like this, it’d be sugar coating the situation. We are being invited to be our best and give our best and it's hard to understand why it’s so hard for some people to see that a face mask can save a life when it comes to a pandemic.

Where some see it as a sign of weakness, one could easily see it as a sign of solidarity. The questions are running: what will it take, how much will it cost, and how many people need to suffer or die before we decide to cooperate?

June 15th - A Day to Say Cheers

If you follow me on any social media platform or have known me for some time, you have probably seen me post pictures of beer, wine, cocktails, tea, coffee, cake, or all sorts of things while saying #CheersMamaEstrada in tribute to my mother. This is something I began doing at the suggestion of a good friend and something I’ll continue doing for as long as I live because I believe in the power of positivity and wishing others well and yes, this applies even to those that are no longer with us on this physical plane and even during the highly volatile times we’re going through.  

I’m writing because Monday June 15^th, 2020 will be the one-year anniversary of Mom’s passing and to celebrate her life, I’ll be doing a couple of things. Activities for the day will include calling my brothers and close family friends, the second attempt at baking a tres-leches cake, cracking open a bottle of sauvignon blanc, and having all my books for free. A lot of people wrote me for Mother’s Day concerned that it would be a hard day and although it was hard, it was no harder than Monday through Sunday. That’s because I miss Mom every day. I talk to her. I write to her. And I love having Mrs. Fawn visit my stories and people also enjoy her company. It’s easy to miss her and it’s not something I’ll ever get over because there’s nothing to get over. When you get over something, that means you needed to get past it and leave it in the past. Mom is with me every day and I’m proud to carry her within as my brothers do and as do all the people who loved her so much.

June 15 could be an easy day to make sad, to lower the volume, to talk in a whisper, or be low-key… but that wasn’t Mom. Mom was a sweetheart and magnificent company. She shared her unique light and love and I do my best to carry my reflection of her love in the words I share, the songs I write, the silly things I post, and the jokes I crack. June 15 is a day to celebrate the magnificent life of a magnificent woman who loved freely and beautifully. One of her greatest wishes was that more people would read my books, so here’s your chance to help a boy make his Mother proud. Download my books, tell your friends, and toast to your angels as well. If you can share online with a #CheersMamaEstrada I’d appreciate it more than you know or if you want to post a pic of a glass of wine, sangria, margaritas, tea, water, coffee, or your preferred beverage because on more than one occasion, those posts lifted her spirits and helped her in rough days. She would always chuckle knowing people might be getting a buzz in her name and deep within me, I know she still enjoys it. If you have a family member or friend you want to toast to, go for it. If you have a tear, shed it, though also smile for the gift of having those special people in your life.

 

I’ve talked about emotional alchemy before, which is basically using what we feel and channeling that energy to create. June 15^th is Mom’s first anniversary and I will do everything to make it a joyous occasion, though I always welcome company. Cheers to you and to your loved ones and here’s to our angels, may we always make them smile come rain or shine. 

Peace, love, and #CheersMamaEstrada

If all lives matter, why do some matter more?

If ever there was a period in time where the general sentiment of a vast majority of a population embodies the phrase “Enough is enough”, this is the time and the US is the place although the world is also standing together to say Black Lives Matter. Make no mistake, we are living a moment of change. Global change at that. But change rarely comes easily. Unfortunately, some people refuse to see the problem for what it is and continue to regurgitate justifications going as far as using black-on-black violence and other convenient talking points as some sort of explanation for wanting to shut down people who have been saying for a long time that Black Lives Matter and are now screaming it. 

What I’ve noticed is that if there’s anyone who hates being called out on their racism it’s racist people. 

“But I’m friends with X or Y, how can you say I’m a racist? That’s offensive.” 

[Insert pouty face] 

Sound familiar? It should because most people have used it in some sort of context in the pursuit of justification and absolution. Notice how I said most people… I didn’t say white people. I said people so we can have that conversation at another time. But NOW is not the time to talk about that problem. Now is the time to talk about the problem of racism. Unfortunately, I hear that answer I wrote above from a lot of people and it feels as if they say stuff like that just so their conscience is at ease and not much else. 

So for every Black Lives Matter chant, we can hear an All Lives Matter chant in return… which feels like hypocrisy at its most blatant. The U.S. of A. is a racist country and it was founded on genocide and racism. If that hurts your feelings or sounds wrong, by all means check your history books, it’s right there. I’m not saying everyone is racist but if there’s a country where racism is a problem, it’s here and I’ve experienced it in the flesh in at least 3 states. If All Lives Matter, then what about Native Americans? The most recent example of how little THESE lives matter is Standing Rock, with protests against oil pipelines that destroy Native American communities and have a massively negative impact on the environment for everyone. These demonstrations have been full of violence that has not been initiated by protesters. Military personnel were called in to use violence to shut down these protests and the commentary from some white people was concerning to put it lightly. Actually a lot of people rejoiced at the violent tactics used and I saw this with my own eyes, so hold off on commentary talking about news coverage. I saw and read feeds from people who relished the violence against people of color. Not bots. People. That’s one example from this population and you can also see the response and lack of aid during the pandemic. But All Lives Matter, right? Speaking about COVID-19, when the pandemic started and was referred to as the Wuhan/Chinese virus. Is it a coincidence that several Asian people were assaulted by people who thought it was logical to attack a person because of their descent as if attacking an Asian person would solve anything and not be an act of inhumanity, prejudice, and blind hate? Not to mention all the discrimination this group has suffered at the hands of this country. Don’t think this is true? Check about internment camps at the beginning of the 20^th century for one of many examples. But hey, All Lives Matter, right? Then how about immigrants who are still being detained unjustly and families who have been broken and people who are being abused daily. People who have been targeted and been apprehended violently. But I forget… All Lives Matter. But if that’s true, then why does it feel as if Puerto Ricans are only good for the armed forces and photo opps but the Jones Act remains in effect to continue a stranglehold that’s lasted over a century? Actually, I saw several people saying PR didn’t deserve any aid after Hurricane Maria because the Island didn’t choose statehood so why should the states care. A convenient point of view when you only see what’s convenient and what doesn’t hurt. How about members of the LGBTQ+ communities? Do they matter? Because the treatment doesn’t feel anywhere near cozy and loving and it took the Stonewall riots to bring change. How about women? Whose rights continue to be trampled and regulated by men almost exclusively. What about Jewish and Muslim people who are consistently targeted and discriminated against because of their religious beliefs, even if it’s protected under the first amendment? All lives matter? Maybe, but not to everyone.

“But what does this have to do with Black people?” You might ask. Are you angry that I spoke of several races, religions, and even gender and failed to talk about Black people? Then try to imagine what it feels like to be Black in this country. I can’t say, because although I’m brown, I’m not Black and in the eyes of some people it makes me less of a target. I’ve gotten odd looks for speaking Spanish in public, but I have the luxury of speaking English with not much of an accent. I can switch and blend and not make someone uncomfortable just to avoid situations. I’ve done this before. Not someone I know. Me. It’s something I’ve done less and less because I have every right to speak Spanish wherever I want. Unfortunately, Black people do not have the option of this luxury because skin isn’t language and you can’t switch your skin color just so some people don’t see you as a threat. I am well aware that if I get pulled over, I might get a warning or a ticket, hell I might even face some sort of injustice, but because of how I look and sound, I have less to worry than Black people, and that isn’t OK. It’s far from OK. 

I look different enough to not be welcome in certain communities and I’m not naïve enough to think otherwise. I saw a KKK sign go up in Dahlonega, GA last year and white nationalist marches and rallies happened locally and in other states that did not meet much of a resistance. I saw the tiki torches and how it was down to company owners to take some sort of action against white people spewing white nationalist pride, doing Nazi hand salutes, and brandishing swastikas. I saw and see white people armed with automatic weapons and either going to protests and screaming in the face of officers or walking without a care in the world, because I’m not dumb enough to think that the 2^nd amendment is defended equally for all races in this country. 

Then I hear something like, “I can’t condone violence or looting. Why couldn’t they be peaceful?” Last I checked, all peaceful protests or commentary from sports figures and artists have been met with the equivalent of “stay in your lane” and a big bowl of STFU. The NFL is now supporting Black Lives Matter? Now? What about Colin Kaepernick? And people will say he disrespected the troops AND the flag!!!! I’d say OK, that’s your opinion, but it’s not. It’s racist rhetoric and a spin given to silence someone protesting police brutality, which has always been his message. He did it peacefully and what did that get him? He did it peacefully and how many people listened before offering to stomp the ass of anyone who doesn’t stand for the flag? Meanwhile, more names get added to the list of high profile murders of people of color and all too frequently Black people. I say high profile murders because lord knows how many people of color of all races get killed and are subject to police brutality on a daily basis. 

Black lives have always and will always matter but people have to scream it to be heard. Then I see people saying that Martin Luther King was never violent… and it’s convenient to use MLK for your arguments and quote him after he was murdered. But a kind reminder: it wasn’t that long ago when black people had to drink water from another fountain, use different bathrooms, and ride in the back of busses… It was the status quo and it was within the law. It is also what some people probably refer to as “the good ole days.” Even now with everything that’s going on, I’ve seen young white kids mock George Floyd’s death uploading pictures with one kid kneeling on his friend’s neck… because hey, it’s just a joke, right?

It’s taken all these manifestations to push for charges to be raised against the 4 officers responsible for the death of George Floyd. Not only that, without action, they were already on their way to justify Floyd’s death due to underlying health conditions and looking for blood toxicology results to minimize any repercussions when it was a clear and blatant abuse of power against a Black man. It’s taken these protests to raise charges against the two men who pursued and ultimately murdered Ahmaud Arbery as well as the third person who filmed and shared the video evidence thinking it clearly showed that the two men who pursued Arbery were in the right. Do you think an investigation would have been opened for Breonna Taylor’s murder if not for these protests? Do you think it’s normal that it’s taken video of these events to push for outrage and have a chance for change? No guarantees… just a chance… the possibility for change because there are no guarantees.

And as for looters and rioters, it’s been captured that several instances of violence have been instigated by police officers and that some white nationalists have infiltrated crowds to break windows, set fires, and justify the use of force. Is it everyone? No. But look at the word looter and how it’s been used in this country before. If you want a specific example, look at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina… white people were seen salvaging supplies to survive while black people were consistently seen looting. Is this statement true? Because that’s how it was covered. I’ve seen looters of all colors and even a police officer or at least someone in a police uniform looting yet the feeling of how the communication is shared is that people of color loot.

All of this is not even talking about how corporations are designed to keep people of color and women from higher positions in companies. All of this is not even grazing the surface of how living conditions, financial aid, healthcare, and the distribution of wealth is skewed in favor of white people, but heaven forbid there’s such a thing as white privilege. Even treatment with the pandemic is different… and yeah, that’s still going on, but we’ll talk about that later, because the topic we’re discussing now is racism against Black people.

People often say that justice is blind… unfortunately, justice is also white. If you see depictions of Lady Justice, most if not all times it’s from Roman Mythology’s Iustitia and her counterpart, Prudentia. Both white. If you switch to Greek mythology, Dike and Themis were also white. From a casual internet search, I had to go back to Egyptian mythology and read about Maat to find a deity of justice that wasn’t white. If you think this is just a coincidence, then that’s a great place to start. I don’t think it is, but that’s my opinion and it’s up for debate because although justice is supposedly blind, we are not. What isn’t up for debate is that racism is alive and well and we’re at a point where we’re being asked on what side we stand when it comes to racism. 

Say what you want and write what you need to write to justify and water down those feelings you have. Post whatever you want to post. But remember that in the end, actions and how you treat people say more about you and express what you truly feel. Do all lives matter? OK. Then how about we start with Black Lives and work our way from there.