As a species, we are on the cusp.
I watched a movie, and read the book this week, called, “Hidden Figures.” I said before, and I’ll say it again, it’s about the story of NACA (and later NASA) that hired women (never mind women of color).
These women were known as “computers,” before there were machines called, “Computers.” Their job was to handle the many calculations required by the engineers. Many of these women held Master’s and Doctorate degrees at their universities. The story takes place in the 1950s and 1960s, so segregation was a reality of the day; however, for the most part the attitude was, “let’s get the job done.” I am not saying, that there weren’t barriers to overcome: segregation and women’s respect and promotion were issues that would eventually have to be dealt with, but the women persevered and, eventually, they succeeded.
This got me thinking that, although their accomplishments were great, they were also hidden or completely ignored. The only people I recall in documentaries were white men in short sleeved shorts wearing a tie. And, that’s a shame.
I fear into day’s world not much has changed. It is a case of one step forward, five steps back, especially, under the certain circumstances the world finds itself. The more things seem to change the more things remain the same. But, even this is not true, for it appears that we are heading back to the time when this story first started.
We are at a cross road as a species. What we do from here and the next generation, maybe two, will determine if we will continue as a species.
Generally, blacks, and other minorities, are not much further ahead than they were in the late 1960s.
Women fare no better than they ever have. They are still not true equals of men. Many men still consider women as their inferiors. Women generally earn less than men, they fail to be promoted as often and their contribution is over looked. Women pay, way more, for the same services, and goods as men.
With the recent Colten ruling, in Canada, we see that not much has changed with the native issues either.
We need to start seeing that we are all the same. We are all one race, “The human race. Until that time, I fear we will not survive the next decade, or so.
I am white, so I have “white privilege.” I did not ask for it, but there it is. However, as a disabled, and gay man. I know what it is like to be different. I had to fight harder, strive harder just to prove that I can: I can, and I am the same as everyone else.
I fight for equality across the board. I fear for the future. I see the events on the news, and I no longer have the hope I once did that this world would be a better place in the future.
Let’s face it the planet is going to shit, the powers that be wanting to turn back the clock, or at the very least, keep the status quo. People who can make a change, the average person, well they throw up their hands, and they declare, “There is nothing I can do. One person cannot change the world.”
Because of this attitude, it seems that people, in general, really don’t give a shit anymore. I hate to admit it, “I am starting to give up hope.” I cannot blame them for feeling this way as I feel this way too.
I try not to despair. I try not to give up hope. Maybe it is because I have a disability, that I had to fight to get ahead, which keeps me from giving in. Deep down inside, I still think we can change as a species.
We must start now. We need to change quickly. We are one species. We have only this planet, and it is dying. The planet is dying. It is on life support; we need to act now.
My rant, my prayer.
—Robert Confiant 10 February 2018 (mod 29 March 2018)
