The societal ether is electrified with deceit and disregard for even the most basic ideas of human decency as a true white supremacist sullies the highest office in America with his very existence. If you believe America is what she says she is, or even anything close, then the events of the past weeks should send a chill through you.
If not, then youre definitely part of the problem. The South By South West mega-festival, with both its music and film industry components, has been an ever-increasing cultural event horizon for all. However, as Ive witnessed up close with a recent trip to the Texas state capital to cover SXSW, it has particularly grown as a hub for black commerce, cultural exchange, and networking.
As I strolled the glass and iron stalagmites jutting skyward, names like JW Marriott and the Four Seasons on the veneer of the structures alluding to opulence and privilege, I could see us everywhere. We were doing our thing in those Austin streets. From the volunteering youth to the most brilliant and enlightening panelists, the sheer amount of black fingerprints all over this festival was a thrill to my heart.
Texas police’s fears over Austin bombings
Austin police chief Brian Manley says the use of a trip wire in the latest explosion to hit the Texas state capital indicates a worrying degree of technical sophistication on the part of the perpetrator.
I have a personal love/hate relationship with the state of Texas, having lived in North Texas for seven years. Piss poor pay, but pretty good schools for the kiddies. The city of Austin is so forward moving, so weird, while simultaneously being country. In the five days that I roamed her streets recently, eating her food, drinking her beer, chatting with her Uber drivers, it was making a serious case for itself.
But I was unaware of what wickedness was afoot as I cheered my own good fortune.
When the first package exploded on March 2nd, 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House would lose his life. I wasnt even aware of his death as I packed and prepped for my trip. Ten days later, 17-year-old Draylen Mason, a gifted student and bassist, would become the second victim. His mother was also severely injured in the incident. Two African-American men, both killed. On the same day, a 75-year-old Hispanic woman was badly injured in another blast.
“We believe that the recent explosive incidents that have occurred in the city of Austin were meant to send a message,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said.
One can only speculate what that message is, but it’s loud, violent and, apparently, racist.
Explosion At Texas FedEx Plant Is The Fifth Attack Linked To Austin Serial Bomber, FBI Says | TIME
A package that exploded just after midnight on Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Texas, is likely connected to the four recent package bombs in Austin, federal agents say. Subscribe to TIME http://po.st/SubscribeTIME Get closer to the world of entertainment and celebrity news as TIME gives you access and insight on the people who make what you watch, read and share.
A fourth explosion occurred March 18th when two white men were injured while walking along the side of the road. It was the first time anyone white had been injured. The fifth explosion occurred this morning when a package exploded at a FedEx plant in San Antonio. According to officials, this marks the first time an explosive device connected to this case was actually shipped.
Meanwhile, our nations leadership, embroiled in treasonous scandal, remains silent. A terrorist is stalking the most liberal city in the state of Texas, yet not a Tweet, a bloop, nor a bleep from the White House.
Disparaging comments have been made against Oprah, LaVar Ball, LeBron James, Jemele Hill and Colin Kaepernick, nothing about the good racists of the Charlottesville riot, or the targeting of minorities with sophisticated bombing techniques.
A white supremacist in the White House, white madmen run amok with weaponry, bombings of black folks. These are the signs of the times. I bet Prince would have made a damn good song about all this if he were around.
