After the events of August 11th and 12th of 2017, the city of Charlottesville, VA and the United States would never remain the same again. In fact, the Charlottesville, 'Unite the Right' rally not only shook the town’s core but deepened the wound for the nation at large regarding social issues and race relations. What was supposed to be a relatively “quiet” summer night at the University of Virginia, Richard Spencer and Jason Kessler had other plans. The two white supremacists organized, executed, and led the ‘Unite the Right’ rally featuring many hate groups including members of the alt-right, neo-Nazis, neo-Confederates, and Klansmen. The rally resulted in counter protests, arrests made, infamous Trump statements, a young white woman’s death, a vicious beating of a young black man (which would reach the courtroom), and jarring photos of young white men marching in the streets. Centered around this rally was the opposition of removing a statue of Robert E. Lee in Emancipation Park. Although it was ordered by the City Council of Charlottesville to be covered in a black shroud, the shroud was removed about six months later from the rally. The statue still stands today. With that said, many statues of historical figures have been called into question since. Some were quietly removed. And let’s say…some had been taken down by force thanks to counter protesters to the far-right. One year later, a lot has happened in the city and the country as a whole. For better and worse, the rally seemed like a domino effect for the lining of issues and events that would continue scrutinizing the country. Issues and events that even seeped into our favorite hobbies. Such as when NFL and current Eagles defensive end Chris Long spoke up on the events that transpired in the town he grew up in. Individuals from Long to Trump had expressed themselves with their thoughts as it concerned the rally, social issues in America, statues, and viable solutions. However, what about the common everyday person? Those who aren’t yet the voice of the voiceless? People with not much opportunity to release their thoughts on a wider scope? That’s where this blog comes. Last year, fellow friends and acquaintances had a chance to speak with me regarding the events that took place last year. With the one-year anniversary taking place, now is a robust time for allowing those to enter a retrospect state of mind involving the event and the state of our country relating to these controversies. The blog will be split up into three parts. Each containing two questions and being followed up with answers that hit a certain level of intrigue. And then using answers to compare and contrast expressed thoughts and emotions. Each post varies apropos in length. More or less responses may be added towards a question. Or the response itself could vary in length. Follow up questions may also come into play. Either way, looking back and observing what was said was interesting to see. And if this small sample size of diverse backgrounds and upbringings indeed resembles a good amount of the younger generation, then a fascinating future awaits. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
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March 2017
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