Originally written: May 15, 2017

Dear Patriots,

There is a traitor in our midst.  Multiple traitors.

~

Fast-forward to the present date and time

That was all I had to say at this time, but instead of writing, I collected news stories and made memes.  Between 2017 and the start of the Covid-19 quarantine on March 13, 2020, I became increasingly angry, despondent and a war raged within me. Over the years, I read, listened, watched and collected information about this environment.

I have followed every story and murder of an unarmed Black life that was ripped from this world due to fear of a weapon or the black body itself:

• Here’s a Wikipedia category list just in case you want to deep dive into various historical and present acts of violence
• December 31, 2018 – White fear and the increase of 911 calls on black people
• June 3, 2020 – Mapping US killings of Black Americans
• August 20, 2020 – Killings haven’t slowed despite the Pandemic and quarantine

I read of every middle-American broken promise for better health care, a good job and a self-sufficiently viable livelihood:

• April 3, 2017 – Trump pulls back Obama-Era protections for women workers
• July 3, 2017 – Missouri Republicans lower the St. Louis minimum wage from $10 to $7.70
• June 14, 2018 – Trump uses his power to dehumanize people who aren’t white [Op. Ed]

I collected news stories of so-called Christians leaders that turned their backs on children and stayed (and continue to stay) silent as unspeakable horrors continue.

• January 1, 2017 – Franklin Graham justifies Trump’s refugee ban
• August 8, 2017 – Christians are more likely to say it’s poor people’s own fault that they’re poor
• November 6, 2017 – Evangelical Pastor Claims Trump’s immigration policies are biblical
• June 6, 2018 – Jeff Sessions cites Bibles passage in defense of separating immigrant families

I don’t use the word traitor lightly, I use it as it was intended to be used. To ensure those that can no longer be trusted are painted – not with a scarlet letter, but the mark of Cain.

As an American, I will not be silent – therefore I invoke:

• My 1st Amendment right to voice my opinion for the good of the citizens and all who dwell within this nation.

• My 13th Amendment right to be an active participant in growth, fortification and preservation of the United States.

• My 15th Amendment right to vote by mail and/or in person without any obstruction!

Again, welcome to the Patriot’s Ballet!