Young activists at Sonoma protests are an inspiration
A big shout-out to the youth in Sonoma that rallied and demonstrated on the Plaza on 6/30 for Black Lives Matter, and in protest against the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Watching and listening to the impassioned pleas and demands of these young people, black, brown and white, for justice in our country for all reinvigorated my love for this small town. Not because we’re perfect here, or without blame or prejudice, we aren’t, but because there are many here of all ages, colors and political/social ideologies that do care deeply about justice and the rights of all people to be respected in this American experiment.
If you missed the youth of Sonoma’s serious and important demonstration to protest black killings in America, you missed a key moment in Sonoma history. The speakers, mostly teens, inspired those attending to think perhaps this will finally be a turning point in this black/white history since the 1600s. I’d like to think this is the case, but I don’t think it yet. I’ve been around now 78 years and I’ve seen a hell of a lot and I know what it takes to pursue justice, equality and plain old human sanity. It takes persistence, endless persistence.
Are the youth of Sonoma up to this? Will they be in it for the long run? Because if you want real change, systemic change, that’s what it takes. If you’re in this struggle, then you’re in it for a lifetime. That’s the reality for bringing about real change my young friends, and it’s now up to you and your generation. Si se puede.
— Will Shonbrun, Boyes Springs
2 thoughts on “Young activists at Sonoma protests are an inspiration”
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I hope they are a lot more persistent than our generation was, Will. We (I’m 75) disturbed a lot of crap but eventually got tired and wandered off, like every generation before us, leaving the system virtually intact, if not stronger for surviving our efforts. So, yeah, go kids. You got the message earlier than we did, so maybe it will stick longer. Here’s hoping …
I’m 71 and was hoping the young generation would get involved before November’s elections. The Cultural Revolution of the late 60s and early 70s left a permanent mark on our culture and politics. It broke us free from the systems established by our parents’ generation – at least in part. It can never be a total shift as long as older generations are in power and alive so influencing elections and policies. There’s a transition, and I believe with our children getting involved the way we did, we can have hope. It’s been looking dismal lately!