Why distrust in our government may be the only catalyst for change

“Show me what democracy looks like!” a voice in the marching mass shouted through a speakerphone.

Signs held high, we screamed back, “THIS is what democracy looks like!”

For the past week, I have marched in front of the White House, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and down Pennsylvania Avenue with thousands calling for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other victims of police brutality, violence, and systematic racism woven into the fabric of this country. I watched the street leading to the White House transform into the “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” its name painted in yellow across two blocks, so bright it is seen by satellites. I watched crowds double, then triple, then quadruple in size. I watched people of every race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status chant the same demand: “No justice, no peace.”

I also watched street corners fill with military, police, and army tanks. I watched cops promise to retreat and give peaceful protesters the space they deserve, then use their plastic shields to push forward and mow them down like grass. I watched the fence around the White House grow from 4 to 15 feet, reminiscent of a prison. I thought of Trump sitting captive in his bunker made of steel. I thought of the prison our so-called president created for himself from his own racism, ignorance, and fear—fear of the power of the people, which is stronger than the people in power. Fear of democracy.

When I asked a group of soldiers from the National Guard why they were there, I received three responses.

“We’re here to stop the protesting,” one said.

“No, no,” another said, “we are here to keep the peace, to make sure people don’t riot or use violence.”

“No,” the third said. “We are here because there aren’t enough police to manage these crowds.”

These three officers confirmed my fear: we cannot trust our government.

It is important to acknowledge that while I am coming to this realization, many people within the black community have shared this sentiment since the United States was founded, largely on the backs of slaves. This government was not made to protect black Americans like white Americans, which is reaffirmed by Black parents educating their children on how to act if they are pulled over or pursued by police, reaffirmed by the funerals, the protests, the necessary outrage, reaffirmed by police murdering people for the color of their skin.

By failing some of us, our government fails all of us. As non-black Americans become increasingly aware of the prejudice, discrimination, and disparities embodied by our government, how can we trust this institution to protect citizens equally, as promised in 1776?

The Declaration of Independence states “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Protesting, marching, speaking out is our right, yet Trump has ordered police to hurt, disperse, and oppress us. As we speak, Trump threatens the very essence of this country in the name of patriotism. However, real patriotism is holding the United States to a higher standard by dismantling our current system and instituting one that serves every American, regardless of race. We must hold our government to a higher standard because government is the way to make real change. But first, the government must earn our trust, specifically the trust of black Americans.

As African-American activist Rev. Al Sharpton said in his eulogy for George Floyd, “Talk[] about make America great. Great for who, and great when?” he said. “We going to make America great for everybody for the first time.”

The reverend also provided a powerful metaphor.

“George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck,” he said. “What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country in education, in health services, and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ‘Get your knee off our necks!’”

We have been failed, as a people and as a country; but, while disheartening, losing trust in our government may be the only catalyst for real change. Our generation has the opportunity to shake, break, and rebuild the system so that it can finally be one we are all proud of.

This is a revolution—are you in or out?