Culture Corner

The Angry Brick

I used to think that the reason American politicians and business men got away with whatever they wanted was because they just knew how to work the system in their favor, not intentionally trying to mess with other people’s lives. Now I understand that the high brows in suits aren’t naively pursuing their monetary dreams, ignorant of their choices’ consequences. They know. They just aren’t scared of anything. They are perfectly fearless leeches. I’m talking to you, 1%.

The United States as a whole has become a docile, cage-kept zombie, spoon fed on apathy and soothed slyly by sleight-of-hand diversions and an onslaught of electronic binkies (unemployment rates are higher than ever, but everyone and their mother has the new tablet and iPhone?). Those at the tip of the financial food chain have lost sight of what other countries fear under their breath, in the back of their minds, beneath layers and layers of calculated political plays: Revolution.

In other countries, legislators and business men alike understand (but do not always acknowledge) the fact that at any given moment, an angry brick could come sailing through their nine pane window and land in their laps with a death threat. Lately, the ‘angry brick’ comes in many forms, be it the riots in London, the coup d’ etat in Libya, the Occupy Wall Street Protests or even crazed, sick individuals who open fire on students. The United States has had its share of angry bricks thrown, but as a whole, treat these warning shots as completely isolated, insignificant hiccups designed to be absorbed into a societal infrastructure destined to fail.

The leash holders (not lease) of the United States do not fear the people. They laugh at us. They toast the middle and low class sweat-breakers for all their hard work. They don’t even deign to watch us struggle as they lobby for their next tax cut. I do not condone any violent act by any individual or group through any means, however sympathetic or reasonable their intentions may appear. The fact is, the ‘angry brick’ does not work. Performing acts intentionally designed to make other people afraid of walking out their front door isn’t the way to go. Violence never changes people’s minds. It only hardens peoples’ hearts and deafens their ears. But so far, the only people talking about policy are the politicians. People need to speak out through the appropriate channels.

The sad thing is, true change takes time. Nothing substantial is going to happen to the political and cultural climate tomorrow morning that makes you smile. You want to change the world? Don’t throw bricks. Write to your local congressman and get on their ass about issues close to you. Get a degree and become a city official. Become a lawyer. Organize peaceful protests. Become a congressman or woman. Become the President of the United States. Be proactive, not reactive. Because there is a frightening sense of discontent and outrage bubbling under this country’s flesh. As the temperature rises unanswered and unappeased, what else can these issues do, but burst?

-Kate Conte

Image Source: http://sfappeal.com/alley/images/protest-crap.jpg