Inequality and distrust
I greatly believe that people today are operating with distrust in society. We have been able to analyze America, and realize that it was founded on bloodshed and inequality, not the idea that everyone deserves equal rights. Realizing that the system has been created to keep certain people from prospering, has led to the distrust of the government and society. People are now angry, because since the civil rights movement, people have fought for change, but now with Trump as president, it has become apparent that we haven’t come as far as we should have.
I believe that we are living through a pivot. I have more trust in generation Z than in some members of other generations, and I believe that people are fed up. This cycle of inequality has gone on far enough, and I believe that many members of the younger generation also see that. I completely agree with razzledazzle8 that through protests, and pushing government officials to take action, we are making it clear what should be done. The younger generation has many different ways of educating themselves on issues, and I believe that there are many great people in higher positions who are fighting for change now. Ultimately, I believe that our generation has the potential to improve this country.
When I hear that the US is the best, I roll my eyes. I do this because it is ridiculous that the US still has so much inequality. There are police terrorizing people, income inequality, and big corporations still polluting the earth like crazy. There are so many issues that boil down to equality, and people just not wanting people of color to succeed or even be heard. I do not think equality should be negotiable, so therefore the US is not perfect, and I will not act like it is. Schools portray it that way, but it’s just not true.
I have grown up in the age of disappointment. Now that we have realized how messed up this country is, it makes staying hopeful pretty difficult. The article went into the US’s issue with depression and anxiety, and I believe that along with other factors, that may also stem from so many issues that are going on, and one feeling like what we are doing is not enough, and if the government won’t help, people will continue struggling.
I agree that we see ourselves as outsiders to the system. Brooks stated that we have come to see institutions as evil, even loathing them. I think that definitely stems from the distrust we feel due to inequality, and even a feeling of helplessness. I also think that people see themselves as outsiders because they believe that they had no part in creating the system which harms us, and therefore they don’t feel it’s their fault.
I believe that Covid and the killing of George Floyd have amplified the distrust many Americans feel towards the government. Watching how the president of the United States refuses to denounce white supremacy, and denies systemic racism, makes people of color in the US feel very afraid, and unprotected by the government. Seeing the same president hold huge rallies right after being hospitalized with Covid is also unsettling because Covid does not go away, and the president doesn’t take it seriously. This is all in addition to the fact that Breonna Taylor’s murderers are free, and despite protests happening daily throughout the country, the president and others portray the police as heroes and protesters as the bad guys. These issues keep piling up, because the government won’t take action. People are just going to become more angry and speak up even more.