Opinion: To drink a Coke or not to drink a Coke, that is the question…

Today the reactions to the new voter laws in the State of Georgia is happening. Rightfully so. It is a need to address and take account of the awful and disenfranchising electoral laws the Republican Party have signed into law. The act of Governor Brian Kemp and his fellow Republican Representatives. They have all deliberately done this and with intent of making it harder for fellow citizens to cast their ballot and vote. That is for the simple reason. The less voters means more likely a Republican majority. Therefore, it is winning strategy to make it harder for the general public to vote.

Now… what is tragic about the politics in America at the moment. Is that instead of looking at the initial issue. The progressive and the ones who wants voters to show up is going up against the businesses in Atlanta, Georgia. The ones who has a base there and the ones who funnel money through the political system. A system that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party is fine with in the days of sunshine, but speaks ill of in the days of rain.

This week has been a storm and been heavy rain. The raindrops are clearly hitting hard and not so easily to get to the storm-drain. Nevertheless, the ideals should be to revise the system. Get new legislation to counter this one or repeal the acts that disenfranchise voters in Georgia. That should be the focus. The focus should be on the ideals and integrity of the ballot, which John Lewis stood for and fought for all his life.

Not battle the beverages industry and one of its giants Coca-Cola Company. Yes, the giant international beverage company has its sins to answer for. They have their ills and its profit motive at any given time. However, it isn’t the bottles of Coke fault for the voters law. Neither is it in the interest of a bottling and beverages company to stop people from voting. Their best interests is to get people hooked on their drink and purchase more of bottles next time they pass by a Wall-Mart.

That is why politics in the United States have gone bonkers. Yes, the politicians are screwed by lobbyist and secretive PAC-Money, which funds their massive and expensive campaigns. Still, in the middle of that. That doesn’t mean they are responsible for the ills and evil, which occurs now and then. Right now that’s all on Governor Kemp and his Republican comrades.

A bottle of Coke will not solve this. Neither will a bottle of Pepsi. Heck, no sort of drink will juice up the veins of democracy. Not the Speakeasies or the roaring 1920s will make fudge about it either. Coca-Cola isn’t the company to solve or in the dominion to do so. Yes, they can stop giving money to the Republican Party, but that they will only cease for a hot-minute and return when they need favourable legislation. As long as the dark-money and PAC money can fund politicians. The companies will return and secure results on their “investments”.

The activists shouldn’t go for a boycott and stop drinking Coke. That is a short-term and a losing strategy. Who will win? The one with billions in the bank and can sustain a hit or the few consumers with a moral obligation? I think the guy with the biggest bank and there are so many who don’t care. Those folks will drink Coke regardless.

That is why, the ones who wants change and make a difference. Call the legislators. Email them like crazy. Make their team and staff go nuts over all the feedback. Make the legislators of State of Georgia packed with messages, faxes or whatever they get memo home. That what they was wrong and they need to revise it.

The GOP and the Governor will not care if you stop drinking Coke. They will not give a damn. You are the ones who losing your beverage. It is not difference then when Republican activists burns their Nike’s or destroyed their coffee-maker. In some ways … its the same thing and neither was winning.

The activists and the ones calling for this. Better think ahead. The Democrats who are fearing for the ballots and voters of Georgia. Better do “Good Trouble”. What they are doing is symbolic hogwash. This is changing their Tinder Profile and thinking their soulmate will love that you were drinking Pepsi instead of Coke. Sorry brother, but that’s not it and that wasn’t the reason why the person swiped your way.

Let’s be clear. You can stop drinking coke, but that will not save democracy. You can boycott Coke, but that not resolve the issues either. What you can do and what you should do. Is to show civil disobedience and call for changes in legislation. Both in Georgia and in the Federal Law. So, that dark-money cannot run rampant behind closed chambers and decide what lawmakers do. Secondly, you can pressure state legislatures to actually vote for laws that makes it easier to vote and not what they did this week. That is what you should do. Not stop sipping Coke.

That means visible protests in the streets. Sponsoring billboards, sending letters, emails and other texts to legislators and by all means be vocal about the cause. Nevertheless, the idea of stopping to drink a beverage. Well… that is futile and not doing anyone any damage. Coke will not be hurt and their bottom-line will not even feel the sting.

It is a time for everything, but boycotting Coke over voting legislation is redundant and a foolish enterprise. Especially, when there are so many other avenues where the ones in power would fear you and would feel your presence. They are not fearing what your drinking in your living-room and at your kitchen. No, they are fearing your feet stomping in the streets and your voices cracking close to their chambers of power. That is why they take away your access to vote in the first place. Peace.

State of Georgia: Governor Kemp disfranchise own citizens with new election law

“My dear friends: Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” – John Lewis (2012 speech in Charlotte, North Carolina)

Republican Governor Brian Kemp. The State of Georgia Governor since 2018. He was the Secretary of State before running for Governor for the Republican Party. In the role as Secretary of State. He was indirectly co-ordinating the polls and the elections of his own candidacy. That is the sort of man Kemp is.

Therefore, after losing both Senate seats in the recent elections in January 2021. It was inevitable for the Republican Party in Georgia to change the rules ahead of the next election. The Republicans have no senator from Georgia. The State of Georgia have turned more and more blue. That has hurt the pride of the GOP and they need to do something.

Am I surprised by this? No, was this shocking? Hell no. The Republican Party and their allies are gerrymandering like insane if they are allowed. The GOP will do whatever they can to bar people from voting. Especially if these parts of the community is most likely voting for other parties. The GOP will do what they can to make it harder to vote or make it such a hassle. If the GOP get lower voter-turn-out. That is a win for them and they will most likely get their representative in.

That’s why its not insane that its happens. Especially, when the Democratic Party was able to flip Georgia and get both Senators. What is striking is that they are doing it in Georgia. Where the late Representative John Lewis came from and fought all his life for a revised Voting Rights Act.. In a manner, which would strengthen the rights and ease the boundaries for the voters to actually vote. The opposite of what Kemp has done lately.

If Kemp and other guys would honour the legacy of John Lewis. They would have made it easier to vote and also create more civic education on the value of doing so. Instead, they are pissing on his legacy and shitting on his grave. They are doing the opposite of what Lewis fought for. Just because the likes of Stacey Abrahams is able to get the public behind her and get new voters in.

We know that is the reason for this. State of Georgia is a place where the Republican’s doesn’t value the vote. Heck, they don’t want the vote or voters. They rather see less people show-up and they are automatically getting their folks elected. Because, the majority will struggle to vote. Standing in lines for hours and not easing restrictions for the ballots. If these Republicans believed in the ballot and voting in general. They would have opened the gates, but instead they are sealing of the doors and hoping nobody is looking.

What is also is seeing how easily someone of the stature of Lewis can be forgotten this quickly. How the State Representatives rather safe-guard their own offices, then actually believing in what Lewis fought for. That shows so perfectly well by all the new procedures for the next election. Which is the incumbents and the ability for the Republicans to still get a majority. This is why they did this.

The GOP in Georgia didn’t do this because they cares for democracy or everyone’s right to participate in elections. No, they are doing this to make it harder to vote. It is easier to buy a gun or do other things than voting in the state. That is because, one thing is a priority and the other is an issue, which the ones in power don’t want you to have. If they didn’t fear the ballot and the power of it. They wouldn’t have made it so hard to cast it.

Brian Kemp and his likes fear the public. Kemp and his allies are worried about their sentiment and their will. If he was loved by them and had their support. He wouldn’t have signed these things into law. However, he has done so to hopefully save his own office. That is the mere reality here. Because, the Governor cannot run the election like he did in 2018.

What is the saddest thing. It is happening in the state of the great late Representative Lewis who stood for the stark opposite and went into “good trouble” fighting for it. However, that fight has to continue, because the ones in power now. Clearly doesn’t value the integrity or the trust of the public in regards to Democracy. Because, if they cared that… they wouldn’t have done this and made this happen. Peace.

State of Georgia: The Senate seats goes to the Democrats

The Special Elections in 2021 have gone to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party candidates Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. These two beat the Republican candidates. What is striking about these two candidates. They have not only won the seats, but they have flipped the Senate. That is a big deal so in 2021 the Biden administration have the House, Senate and the Presidency. Therefore, the Republican Party cannot block nominations or laws through before the midterms at earliest.

What I enjoy about this is that these two are connected to the late John Lewis. Warnock was the pastor of Lewis and Ossoff was a previous intern of the late Georgian Congressman. That is really great to see the folks around the civil rights hero is still roaming in the August house of Washington D.C.

In previous elections the voter suppression and rigging has ensured the Republican majority in Georgia. Brian Kemp for instance is the governor of Georgia was running his own government and securing his own election as the Secretary of State. Therefore, the state has been before a hot-seat for electoral nonsense. However, in this special election it has been all genuine and the same happened in November 2020 run-off as well. Since there is no proof and you don’t have a Kemp who is siding with himself.

Stacey Abrahams, the person who was tricked and rigged out of the election in 2018. Has now shown her leadership has values. She has the capacity to get new voters and bring attention to the Democratic Party cause in Georgia. Stacey is the other hero in Georgia. Abrahams should get credit for the turn of events. Where there has been a massive shift and she has been able to gain more voters. Getting the people mobilized to vote in districts and such. That wouldn’t have happen at the same level if she didn’t do what she did. Therefore, Abrahams needs her credit here.

Today is a good day, but now the work starting. Now the democrats can control all chambers and rehash the state of America. They can if they want to change the laws and make it better. After 4 years of Trumpism and Corporate Socialism. The Democrats can actually make a difference and be there for the citizens. They can also have a substantial and enforce proper foreign policies. Not only do things because donors or American businesses will profit for it. Therefore, the State of Georgia election can have ripple effect. That is if they use it properly.

Hopefully, these Senators have been inspired by John Lewis and will continue his work. Also continue on the positive progression that they have had during the campaigns. These folks also won because Trump himself wasted an opportunity and have targeted the state in a selfish angle. An angle where he wanted to overturn certified Presidential Election of 2020. So, that he could win and also get Republican’s not to trust the process. Therefore, they have gone against themselves, which is really unique and that did backfire.

State of Georgia have delivered. Hopefully these two Senators can make a vast difference. They can challenge and represent the goodness of the New South. They can resist the corporate democrats and be progressive. That is what we can hope for. That’s what the likes of me hopes for.

Georgia should be proud. They have done something amazing and nobody can take that away from them. Acknowledge the ones turning a state blue from red. That is something great. Peace.

We need to emulate the likes of Representative John Lewis

“To those who have said, “Be patient and wait,” we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, “Be patient.” How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail. But we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace” – John Lewis (“SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON” (28 AUGUST 1963)

There are some unsung heroes and then there John Lewis. The United States Representative from 1986 until this death. A man who stood for the good fight to the bitter end. The civil rights leader, congressman and icon.

His resilience and moral compass have been with him all of his life. The determination to overcome the obstacles in society and make it better. Do the good trouble for cause of justice for all. A man who has inspired a generation and will continue to do so long after his gone.

I hope that I can just emulate a little of what he did. The way he stood for the good cause. The way in the midst of trouble, knew it was worth it. He called it good trouble. When the state has laws who undermines the public, who doesn’t serve the public, it’s your right to oppose it. Lewis have been arrested, belittled and hurt for the good causes.

He stood in it, together with the others leaders of the civil rights movement and part of the Big Six in the 1960s. John participated in the March on Washington in 1963 and the protest in Selma, Alabama in 1965, which was coined the Bloody Sunday. He lead up to 600 marches in that time.

“Yes, we have made some progress. We have come a distance. We are no longer met with bullwhips, fire hoses, and violence when we attempt to register and vote. But the sad fact is, the sad truth is discrimination still exists. And that is why we still need the Voting Rights Act. And we must not go back to the dark past. We cannot separate the debate today from our history and the past we have traveled. When we marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, it was dangerous. It was a matter of life and death. I was beaten. I had a concussion at the bridge. I almost died. I gave blood, but some of my colleagues gave their very lives” (John Lewis – ‘Rep. John Lewis Comments on Voting Rights Act Reauthorization’ 13.07.2006).

It’s with those kind of actions made him the hero he is. He was the main sponsor for 22 bills in Congress. Out of the 22 bills, there are 8 bills is in remembrance and commemoration of the Civil Rights and Civil Rights leaders.

The two latest enacted bills, which he was the main sponsor of was the Great American Outdoors Act and Taxpayers First Act. The first act was to secure funding for National Monuments, National Parks and the National Park Service, the back-log of lacking funds to be secured. The Taxpayers First Act was to modernize the IRS. Therefore, he did legislation for the betterment of society and remember the ones who fought for the good causes.

There will not be anyone like John Lewis, but we can work to emulate him. We can work for a better world. A world of justice for all. He fought for justice and against impunity. The Black Lives Matter is a “follow-up” to the likes Lewis. They are fighting for the same cause as Lewis was. Society have moved, but still there is battles ahead for all to get the same freedom. There are still mass-incarceration and police brutality against African-Americans. Which is something Lewis fought against, was arrested for and stood tall against the authorities.

That is why Lewis and his achievements are so important. His battles are not yet fought. The good trouble he got in the 1960s. Is still something we have to battle today in 2020. We still have to go against the systemic racism and against oppression of minorities. That shouldn’t be the case, but clearly the fight is not over.

The legacy Lewis leaves behind is a man of morals and conscience, which is needed. Who will fill the void? Who knows?

Hopefully, his speeches, his books and his life can be an inspiration for others. A man who stood in the midst of the Civil Rights era, a man who went on the front-line. Who became a representative and stood for the just cause to the bitter end. I just hope we emulate just a figment of what he stood for. So, we can together make a better world. If necessary join together in good trouble. To stand up to injustice in society.

If we only learn a little from this man and follows his example. We can make a better world. Where we fight against the ones who sponsor injustice and impunity against fellow citizens, because of their creed and colour, which is wrong by all means. Where we all should be equal and all equality before the law.

He has been on point all through his life and I’ll end with a statement on voter suppression in 2011:

“Mr. Speaker, voting rights are under attack in America. There is a deliberate and systematic attempt to prevent millions of elderly voters, young voters, students, minorities, and low-income voters from exercising their constitutional right to engage in the democratic process. Voter ID laws are becoming all too common. But make no mistake, Voter ID laws are a poll tax. People who struggle to pay for basic necessities cannot afford a voter ID” (John Lewis – ‘Rep. John Lewis Condemns Voter Suppression In the U.S.’ 19.07.2011).

Rest In Peace John Lewis. Your legacy and achievements will life on. You will inspire generations to come. Peace.

Opinion: Now its the time for the International Community to condemn the US Authorities

Usually in these instances the International Community, Bilateral Organizations and United Nations Organizations would come out with statements, letters and MPs from all across would write and send memos, where they would express concern, care for humanity and the human rights violations done by the state.

The United States of America is surely there now. the Trump Organization, sorry my bad, it’s the Trump Administration lackluster behaviour. Its internal behaviour towards social media, its Executive Order against Twitter. There is also the arrest of the CNN Team in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While there is demonstrations across the Republic. There is violent police officers, arresting demonstrators and so fourth. This is as a reaction to the police officers directly murdering George Floyd in broad daylight. Because of this its days of demonstrations. The public have been burning buildings. While the police has delivered tear-gas towards them. This is the anger and agony, as the minority is targeted by the authorities and the police.

Floyd is just the latest casualty in a long line of innocent civilians dying because of their race, skin-colour and ethnicity. That is the sad reality of the police and the authorities in the United States. That they are directly mass incarcerate this community and its people. While, if they are trying to live free, they might become a target and loose their lives by doing simple things like jogging or going to the nearest barber.

The African Americans are really hard hit. They are the ones handpicked, the ones no matter what they do its wrong. If they kneel, its bad, if they are on the streets, its bad and if they post online. Than that’s bad too. So, in reality, the aggression and the demonstrations seen these days is the last drop into a glass of water. It was bound to go over. There been so many people of African American descendants whose been taken out early, by either mistake or by brutal lethal force. Which was the same with Floyd.

This is why the international silence is showing its precedence, because if this was elsewhere. The UN would send Experts and Investigate the matters of Human Rights Violations and Extra Judicial-Killings. Which this is, the authorities and police is initiating these killings and doing the bidding.

What is even more striking is how the President plays into this. As he has engaged positive and in favour of White Armed Demonstrators against the lockdown. However, when you address the marginalization and systemic oppression of African Americans. Than the President has no issues with saying his willingly sending the National Guard and start to shoot at the protesters. This is only happening in dictatorships, but apparently, the US is swiftly getting their under Trump.

The US should be sanctioned, as its okay to take lives of African Americans without any cause. Their lives doesn’t matter, because if they did. Then it wouldn’t be that easy to take their lives and trying to find ways to make reasons for the demise of this civilian. The same fashion, as all the other bystanders and raided houses where innocent civilians of same kind been taken away. Or if a brother is running or jogging and get hounded by White Supremacists.

This is the revision of the Jim Crow era, we are returning back to the evil days, where the public are targeted for their colour, their creed and their ethnicity. Which is wrong by all means. Where you can be taken out, not because your a terrorist, but because you were born. That is all and enough.

That is why the International Community needs to act. Needs to address this and show force. They need to show the world that this mentality, this reality and these means are all wrong. That the US government needs a lesson. They need to be sanctioned, they need to warned and need to feel pressure from abroad. They are not treating their citizens correctly. This needs to be said and not done in silence.

The demonstrations, the civil disobedience is all natural. As the public is outrage. This is the aftermath of the murder of Floyd. While the authorities are “investigating” it and not doing it in a manner, which they would normally do, if this was a citizen and especially if this was a minority suspect. The minority suspect would be charged and rot in jail, while the police officer is walking free awaiting pending investigation and possible charges down the line. But, a minority, an African American suspect, which is a citizens would be hounded down in bracelets before dawn.

That’s why the people is Minneapolis is reacting like this. Also, why there is demonstrations elsewhere. As this is not only happening in Minnesota, but across the Republic.

So, now its time for the International Community to act like it does elsewhere. We are seeing muffling of media. Roughness towards demonstrators and also rhetoric of more violence from the President. While there is no piece of redeeming factor here. The authorities are downplaying it.

That is why pressure also coming from the outside. The world cannot accept extra judicial killings elsewhere, so they shouldn’t accept it happening in the United States. Peace.

Opinion: Racial Inequality is still a thing in America

Well, it’s sad that someone has to say this, but the Civil Rights Movement. The minorities and the stigma in society is still vibrant and still alive. What is worse, is that its state sanctioned at this point. As of this time and days of our lives. The White or Causation Majority has more rights than the rest.

This has been proven with how the White Americans are using the Police as a security agency and using their entitlements in public. If a African-American is in the park, in the parking-lot or barbecuing close by. That is in an issue in normal times, but becomes even more dire in a pandemic.

The reality is that the African-American can become a target without any precaution or warrant. The Police can without any hesitation, fire and use force against. However, if a white man is armed like Rambo or looking like a Bond Villain in the Capitols of the States. They can walk scotch-free. These people don’t have to worry about the Police or the authorities using means to engage.

However, an African-American can easily get killed by the Police by jogging in the wrong neighbourhood at the wrong time. The Police can if they may easily just take away all rights and even the lives without any reason. That is what happen to George Floyd in Minneapolis. It’s pure injustice in the hands of the law. This was one of the men of the law, whose supposed serve and protect the public. The Police is supposed to safeguard and keep the streets safe, not take lives.

What is the matter of fact, this is not the first victim of what the Police in the United States has done. Its been doing this for years. Its imprinted in their ways and the politicians are letting it happen. The leadership isn’t stopping it. Just like they are not stopping the raids of ICE and having camps for immigrants. All are of the minorities, which is not as protected by these law enforcement.

This is sincere default and problematic stance, which is embedded in society. Where the Police can do this and continues to do so. That the Police Officer can easily take a life of an African-American. This shows what is wrong with the US. There is a lack of justice, lack or equality and lack societal norms to stop this.

It is nt like like all boys in Blue would do this, but their shield and their means have massively been to target, arrest and mass incarcerated minorities for decades. This is thing in the US and continues to persist. That shows that the supposed leaders of the Free World isn’t that free. Except one group, because we see that.

It is clear as day, as earlier in the month, white-men could go to the capitols in-front of the governors offices fully armed and with no direct interference from law-enforcement. However, when African-American men whose not armed going into the streets. They we’re tasting tear-gas in Minneapolis yesterday. And in Los Angles the Police drove even into a group of protesters after this murder of Floyd.

Therefore, the racial injustice continues. The eras of Jim Crow is still here. Maybe not in direct law, but in action. The Police are using the same means and functions to the same paradigm in the US. What is boggling, is that the ones scavenging at Colin Kaepernick kneeling for freedom, liberty and against this sort of behaviour of the authorities. That is why it’s ironic and sad, that the ones yelling at him, isn’t saying a word against the officer who kneeled for eight minutes taking the life of Floyd.

No one should get the treatment of Floyd. Doesn’t matter who you are, what’s your race, colour, creed or faith. That doesn’t matter, if we are all equal, then the African-American shouldn’t get this treatment by law enforcement. It is that easy. If they are equal to the Whites who went to the Capitols earlier in the month. Then, they should be allowed to be armed to their teeth’s and walk to the offices of the governors.

However, we know that its not possible right now. Its because the state has made it like this. There is a need for radical changes, which is in the dreams of Martin Luther King and other Civil Rights Leaders. There is a need to listen to John Lewis and the late Elijah E. Cummings. Their words and lessons would be needed. To again go against the ills of society and to make a change. Since, the US is far from healed and is still divided.

If this is the supposed free world, then the world isn’t free. As it is only free for some, but not for all. That is warning and we’re living in 2020, but we’re having the same issues as generations before us. We should know better, the US law-enforcement should know better, but they don’t, because they are allowed to do so.

Enough bullshit for one day. We shouldn’t be here, but apparently we are. Peace.

John Lewis: The Selma To Montgomery Marches | MLK | TIME (Youtube-Clip)