What Happened in 2020?
10 years have passed since the pandemic. 2020 was a big bully that slammed me into a corner of restrictive reality. The immense job loss without a hint of economic recovery weighed heavily on my heart, head, and sensibility. fear. The of an unseen enemy distanced me from neighbors, separated me from friends, and starved me from touching family while sharing a meal.
Straitjackets, Shackles, and Suffocation.
The stay-at-home order appeared without warning like an ominous tornado. The thundering voice of government sent me scurrying for cover before the throe. I raced indoors like a scared animal darting for its hole. My slow, nervous, and circular movement indoors generated momentum like a fearful mole. In artificial darkness, I mimicked the hyper speed of global confusion wafting just outside my door. The decree authorized enough freedom of movement to cautiously inch towards the front door. The order strong-armed me from cracking the window to release weeks of odor.
Social distancing precautions wrapped tightly like a straitjacket. I was totally free, but thoroughly restrained. In my 6-foot bubble protectively contained. A temporary mark on the floor shackled me in place. As I shuffled to the next point, with full obedience I slowed my pace. I gasped for air at every step, but had plenty of room with no need to sidestep. The mandatory mask order felt like an iron hand pressed up against my face. I could not extend my arms to say thank you with grace.
Protest in Peace?
As if the pandemic was not enough, the death of Mr. Floyd flamed the fire of frustration. Mr. Floyd’s suffocation seemed as if the iron hand relaxed its grip — only to aim for my neck — in an attempt to choke me into submission. Many took to the streets to protest. It was a chance to put the stay-at-home order to the test. Veiled faces sought to permanently maim. For many, what was at stake was not a game.
In their rage, many looted. Others roared by staying muted. The good and the bad danced in a whirlwind of fire and chafe. All were caught an ominous cyclone, spinning ungrounded in the air, staying violently engaged, clasping each other’s hand in an angry dance with ever-faster spin. Letting go of each other’s resentful clench risked being flung away from the mainstream of sin.
Policing the Police
The police are human. They are fathers, husbands, wives, friends, and neighbors. There are good cops and there are bad cops. They are only as good as their last training event. The police abuse of late demonstrates two things: (1) the inadequate training that they receive, or (2) highlights the immense stress that they are under. Today, we are reaping the benefits of ineffective leadership and short-sighted decision-making. Negative employee behavior is a direct reflection of the unclear intentions of the leadership team. Plain and simple.
Calling Out Citizens
Citizens are also humans. We are the neighbors of cops, teachers of their children, nurses of their elderly parents, and religious leaders of their chosen faith. Our unwavering loyalty to serving the families of police officers is paramount, but we sometimes question if all of that will be forgotten during an innocent traffic stop or during a mis-informed raid. It is hard to imagine the dilemma of the citizen who fear both the criminals and the police. They are encircled by a moat of aggressive police action while being devoured by the unconscionable acts of criminal neighbors.
We are all tired and afraid, but most importantly we are still HUMAN
Citizens are afraid for their future. Many of us just want to know that our children will not go hungry. We want security, we want to work, and we want to feel safe. The police want to make sure that they make it home to their families. Citizens want to feel safe inside their homes. We are not robots. We have feelings. We love. We hate. We are humans.
The energy of our words
The exercise of free speech is founded on accountability and responsibility. The quality of our words can bring peaceful abundance and affluence and the volume of hate in our screams can result in pain and poverty.
Speaking to heal
When we question the quality and motive of our thinking, we acknowledge our dysfunction. From this humble position, we are able speak words that heal. However, when we disregard flawed ego, we can become quick to blame, fast to point a finger, and we focus on short-sighted goals.
Conclusion
As a nation of citizens, public servants, business owners, and as police officers — we have spoken. We have been heard through the volume of our protests, through the violence of actions, through the silent but conspicuous support of misbehavior, and through the inner pain we project as hate. The hate that is enveloping us is more suffocating than the masks we have been wearing since March 2020.
It is time to breathe out positive energy with our words and actions. Forgive — ourselves and others — the first step to moving on. Release the weapon from your hand and place it on your heart. Feel your heartbeat that wants to radiate love. National unity begins with you. We are one.
Copyright Leonard Casiple 2023. All rights reserved.
About the author: Leo Casiple is a first-generation American who grew up in Southern Philippines under martial law. He spent much of his 21-year career in the US Army as a Green Beret.
Leo is currently a doctoral student at Northeastern University’s Doctor of Law and Policy program (2022–2025 Cohort). He earned his education from California Lutheran University (MPPA), ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management (MBA in Global Management), Excelsior University (BS in Liberal Arts, Ethnic and Area Studies), Academy of Competitive Intelligence (Master of Competitive Intelligence™), Defense Language Institute and Foreign Language Center (18-month Arabic Language Course), and the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (Special Forces Qualification Course and Psychological Operations Specialist Course).
For more information about the author, click here: Leo’s LinkedIn Profile