Open Letter to 80's Babies in Minneapolis

“Every generation must out of relative obscurity discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it” Frantz Fanon

Comrades we are dropping the ball. There is no other way to put it. These are serious times, and we are lacking a serious approach. Yes we have random events that on the surface appear to be struggling for equality etcetera etcetera, but that is only a veneer, and a thin one at that. For some time now I have felt this way. I have participated in the protests, marched in the marches, and I am left only this- an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Take this afternoon for example, there was a demonstration organized in solidarity with the national call to protect public education. In other states campuses were being occupied and there was real action being taken. Here, it was a far different story, middle class white folks stood around and listened to un-motivating speakers tell them what they already knew (ironically in front of Morrill Hall the site of actual student action 40 years ago) then marched across Washington Ave to Coffman to hear more stories and tidbits of information that for the most part served no greater purpose. Those that happen to be in the path simply walked by wondering what was going on. I ask is this what we have become? Where is the sacrifice? Why was that group not marching through the halls where classes were being conducted to hold professors and students alike accountable for not supporting this national movement? A even better question- why were we not bringing this message to the people who actually make the decisions? This is typical of demonstrations now a days, middle class whites organize the events, and end up hanging around telling each other about what is wrong, what they would like to see done about it, but when it comes time to sacrifice at any level they hide behind a veil of compromise and commitment to non-violence. The time has come to stop waiting for others from generations past to tell us what to do and how to do it. It is our time. It is time for us to come together, articulate our positions and be willing to back those up with sacrifice. It is time to stop asking permission to be pissed. Be pissed and do something about it. The torch is being passed- catch it! And always remember:

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." Frederick Douglass

In solidarity
Ryan "BUGS" Virden